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According to the Detaly portal, negotiations between Israel and Hamas to extend the ceasefire agreement have reached a deadlock. To resolve the crisis, Egypt has taken the initiative to extend the ceasefire in Gaza for another two weeks in exchange for the release of three live hostages and the transfer of the bodies of three dead to Israel. This was reported today, 2 March, by the Qatari edition of Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed.

It was expected that the Israeli delegation would travel to Cairo to discuss this proposal, but later sources close to the negotiations denied this information. According to them, there are no plans to send a delegation.

According to Al Jazeera TV, intensive negotiations have been held between the Israeli delegation and mediators over the past two days. Israel offered Hamas to release five living hostages and hand over the bodies of ten dead in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and the expansion of humanitarian aid. This initiative actually provided for the continuation of the first stage of the agreement without moving on to the second, which was rejected by Hamas.

Following the failure of the talks, Israel announced that it would stop delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Since the evening of 1 March, the border crossings have been closed.

The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel noted that these measures are related to the completion of the first phase of the agreement and Hamas’ refusal to accept the plan of US Special Representative Steve Whitkoff.

“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues to refuse, there will be consequences,” the government stressed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas is currently holding 59 hostages, of whom at least 35 are believed to be dead. He also denied Hamas’ claims that Israel had violated the agreements.

“Israel is complying with the agreements. It is Hamas that has repeatedly violated the agreements of the first stage. According to the original agreement, Israel has the right to resume hostilities after the 42nd day of the ceasefire if the negotiations fail. This clause was confirmed by the previous US administration and supported by the current team of Donald Trump,” Netanyahu explained.

He stressed that despite everything, Israel agreed to the Whitkoff plan for the return of the hostages, but Hamas continues to refuse to accept it.

“As soon as Hamas changes its position, Israel will immediately resume negotiations,” the prime minister concluded.