Gaza Ceasefire on the Brink as Hamas Delays Hostage Release, Accuses Israel of Violations

Arab Mediators Scramble to Salvage Gaza Ceasefire as Tensions Rise

Arab mediators are working tirelessly to prevent the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire as the weekend approaches. The truce is facing increasing pressure, with Hamas postponing the release of Israeli hostages and accusing Israel of violating the agreement.

Hamas officials arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss ways to end the current crisis. Meanwhile, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are intensifying their efforts to persuade Israel to address Hamas's demands before Saturday's scheduled hostage release.

The future of the ceasefire remains uncertain, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Hamas claims Israel has continued to kill Palestinians, block aid, and delay the return of displaced people. Israel denies these allegations but claims responsibility for an airstrike that killed two people in the Rafah area.

The situation escalated further after US President Donald Trump threatened "hell" if Hamas did not release all hostages by Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has kept his options open, while his defense minister echoed Trump's call for the release of all hostages.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem reiterated the group's stance that hostages will only be released through diplomatic means and rejected the threats from the US and Israel.

Talks on the second stage of the ceasefire, which is supposed to begin in early March, have been delayed due to Israel's lack of willingness to discuss matters beyond the first stage. Egyptian and Qatari mediators are now trying to persuade Israel to meet Hamas's demands, including implementing the humanitarian protocol and beginning negotiations for the second phase.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Hamas to proceed with the planned release and avoid a resumption of hostilities.

The first stage of the truce, which involves the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody, has come under increasing strain. Last week's release of three emaciated hostages sparked anger in Israel and beyond. The Gaza health ministry says Israeli fire has killed at least 92 Palestinians and wounded more than 800 others since the ceasefire took hold on January 19.

The fragile ceasefire has halted 15 months of fighting in Gaza, during which about 48,000 Palestinians were killed and the territory was reduced to ruins. The war was triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages.

The international community is closely watching the situation in Gaza, with concerns that the ceasefire could collapse and lead to renewed violence. Arab states are presenting an alternative vision for the reconstruction of Gaza that would ensure the residents remain on their land, in contrast to Trump's controversial proposal to relocate them to Egypt and Jordan.