Efforts to prolong the ceasefire in Gaza have stalled, according to a Palestinian official, as the United States criticized Hamas for making demands deemed "entirely impractical" during discussions in Qatar. Negotiators have been working to advance talks following the conclusion of the initial phase of the temporary truce on March 1.
The U.S. suggested extending this phase until mid-April, which would include further exchanges of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. However, a Palestinian official, who requested anonymity, indicated that Israel and Hamas are at odds over crucial elements of the proposal presented by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff during indirect negotiations.
On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office expressed Israel's willingness to continue discussions with Hamas to extend the Gaza ceasefire. This statement followed Netanyahu's meeting with key aides and security officials, and was in response to what Israel had learned from mediators about U.S. proposals for the release of 11 living Israeli hostages and the return of the remains of half of the deceased hostages.
The White House accused Hamas of making "entirely impractical" demands in response to Witkoff's proposal, which aimed to extend the ceasefire into April while delaying talks for a permanent resolution to the conflict. A statement from Witkoff's office and the U.S. National Security Council on Friday warned, "Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not." They emphasized that Hamas is aware of the deadline and should expect a response if it is not met.
A Hamas statement indicated that negotiations have broken down. Netanyahu's office had previously stated that Israel accepted the U.S. proposal, accusing Hamas of being inflexible and engaging in "manipulation and psychological warfare."
In January, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal with three stages after 15 months of conflict. The first stage saw Hamas returning 25 living Israeli hostages, the remains of eight others, and five living Thai hostages, while Israel released around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The second stage is supposed to involve the exchange of the remaining living hostages in Gaza for more Palestinian prisoners. However, both sides currently disagree on the number of hostages to be released next and on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which the original agreement stipulates should have occurred by now. Israel opposes this withdrawal, while Hamas insists it should proceed.
Earlier in March, Israel blocked aid shipments to Gaza and cut electricity, aiming to pressure Hamas. It is believed that Hamas still holds up to 24 living hostages in Gaza and the remains of 35 others. As indirect talks continued on Friday, Hamas stated it was ready to release the last living Israeli-American hostage it holds, Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier captured near Gaza. According to the original ceasefire agreement, he was expected to be among the last hostages released. Hamas also offered to return the remains of four other dual nationals captured during the October 7, 2023, attacks, without specifying demands in return.
Witkoff dismissed this offer, accusing Hamas of trying to appear flexible publicly while being impractical privately. The October 7 attacks by Hamas resulted in over 1,200 deaths in southern Israel, mostly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. This prompted an Israeli military response that has since resulted in over 48,520 deaths, primarily civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which are used by the UN and others. Most of Gaza's 2.1 million residents have been displaced multiple times, with an estimated 70% of buildings damaged or destroyed. Essential services like healthcare, water, and sanitation have collapsed, leading to shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.