Ceasefire talks fail to advance to second phase: Palestinian official
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A senior Palestinian resistance official told Al Mayadeen that Cairo negotiations failed to advance to the second phase due to the Israeli occupation's stalling tactics.
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Freed Palestinian teenagers wave as they are greeted upon their arrival after being released from an Israeli prison, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A senior Palestinian resistance official told Al Mayadeen that negotiations in Cairo have failed to pave the way for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, blaming Israel for obstructing progress.
According to the official, the Israeli occupation is deliberately stalling to prolong the first phase of the agreement while gradually securing the release of its hostages.
He accused the Israeli regime of violating the deal by delaying entry into second-phase negotiations and reaffirmed that the resistance would not release any hostages without a comprehensive agreement.
"The Israeli side is attempting to use blackmail tactics, but we reject any deal that is not part of a full-package agreement," the official stated.
The official also noted that mediators have been unsuccessful in persuading the Israeli regime to engage in the next phase of talks. He added that Israeli political leaders are pressuring negotiators to extend the first phase on the condition that Hamas releases additional hostages.
'No choice but to start second phase'
"The road in front of the enemy's false excuses has been blocked, and it now has no choice but to commence the second phase negotiations," the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas said in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to Hamas, the Israeli occupation's attempts, spearheaded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to backtrack and obstruct the ceasefire deal "will only increase the captives and their families' suffering."
Therefore, the only way to release the captives is through negotiating and committing to the agreement, the statement added.
Hamas also reiterated its complete commitment to the ceasefire agreement's provisions, as well as its readiness to begin the second phase of negotiations.
