A report by CNN journalist Mick Krever highlighted a rare moment of optimism felt by both Israelis and Palestinians just a month ago.
“After months of stalled negotiations, a ceasefire in Gaza was reached, and for the first time, there appeared to be a genuine path toward ending the war,” the report noted.
However, Krever observed that “the situation has changed dramatically since then.” The 42-day ceasefire between the Israeli occupation and Hamas is set to expire this week unless an agreement is reached to extend it.
A Fragile Truce Amid Political Shifts
According to the report, negotiations for a permanent end to the war were scheduled to begin in early February. Yet, three weeks later, no discussions have taken place.
During this period, the political climate in the Israeli occupation state has shifted. The return of former U.S. President Donald Trump has emboldened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under pressure from his far-right coalition partners to resume the war.
“The ceasefire in Gaza may ultimately be nothing more than a temporary pause,” the report stated.
On Sunday, Netanyahu addressed Israeli military cadets, stating:
“We are prepared to return to intense combat at any moment. The operational plans are ready.”
Despite his conditional commitment to the ceasefire, Netanyahu traveled to Washington to meet with Trump, while deliberately refusing to send a negotiation team to Qatar or Egypt.
Netanyahu’s Strategic Maneuvers
The report noted that Netanyahu has replaced Israeli security officials previously involved in ceasefire negotiations with a close political ally—Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a figure closely aligned with Trump’s administration.
Even during the initial ceasefire negotiations, Netanyahu remained skeptical about the potential second phase of the agreement.
“For Netanyahu, the first phase was always temporary,” Krever explained, arguing that it was simply a tactic to secure the release of Israeli captives without permanently ending the war or addressing Gaza’s future once the fighting stops.
The Unanswered Question: Gaza’s Future
“Seventeen months have passed since October 7, and Netanyahu has yet to present a vision for Gaza’s future,” the report pointed out.
His only clear stance is that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority should govern the Strip.
The second phase of negotiations—which called for a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a prisoner exchange involving all surviving Israeli captives and Palestinian detainees—was inherently more challenging.
Political Pressure to Resume War
Netanyahu faces increasing pressure from his far-right coalition partners to abandon the ceasefire and return to military aggression.
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- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to leave the ruling coalition if the war does not resume immediately after the ceasefire expires.
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- Far-right extremist Itamar Ben Gvir resigned from his ministerial position in protest of the truce.
On Tuesday, CNN quoted an Israeli government insider who admitted that the occupation was “trying to extend the first phase [of the ceasefire] for as long as possible” to secure the release of more Israeli captives. However, it remains uncertain whether Hamas will continue releasing detainees without a firm Israeli commitment to ending the war.
Trump’s Role in the Conflict
Although Trump has taken credit for securing the ceasefire, his policy toward Palestine has been anything but peace-oriented.
Since assuming office, Trump has:
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- Proposed the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
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- Entertained the idea of annexing the West Bank to Israel.
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- Expressed doubts about the ceasefire’s sustainability.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is expected to return to the region this week in a last-ditch effort to salvage the truce.
However, according to Krever, Witkoff expressed little optimism when he spoke with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, during an investment summit in Saudi Arabia last week.
“The second phase is more difficult,” Witkoff admitted, adding, “but if we work hard, there is a real chance for success.”
Israeli Occupation’s Breach of the Ceasefire Agreement
After Hamas released six Israeli captives this week, the Israeli government announced it would not fulfill its side of the prisoner exchange—which was supposed to include the release of 620 Palestinian detainees.
The occupation regime expressed outrage over Hamas’ prisoner handover ceremony, with Netanyahu’s office demanding that Hamas “end its humiliating celebrations.”
In response, Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif Al-Qanoua condemned the Israeli decision, calling it a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
Meanwhile, critics of the Israeli government argue that the occupation has been orchestrating propaganda campaigns to manipulate public opinion.
