Israel is striving to prolong the first stage of the ceasefire deal with Hamas, but warned that officials are ready to get back into military action if important talks do not make progress this week.
In accordance with Israel’s Kan Radio and the Ma’ariv newspaper, unofficial talks are being held to extend the initial 42-day phase of the truce, which expires on Saturday. Official, internationally brokered talks for the second phase a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza have been repeatedly postponed.
An extension would include further hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian detainees, but Israeli officials are skeptical about the possibility. Conditions in Gaza remain bad, with Palestinian medics confirming the deaths of six infants from hypothermia caused by freezing temperatures and a shortage of vital resources.
Dr. Ahmed al-Farah, a pediatrician in Khan Younis, said two infants’ bodies were brought to the hospital, with another two receiving treatment for frostbite. In Gaza City, Dr Saeed Salah reported five more infant deaths, attributing them to freezing temperatures in makeshift shelters with no electricity or heating.
The truce still hovers on shaky ground as Israel delayed releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners over the weekend, after a Hamas video wherein two Israeli captives were made to watch others get released. Hamas has rejected renewed talks until the prisoners are released, while the chief mediator, Egypt, continues to hold that talks on phase two must start before there can be an extension of phase one.
US representative Steve Witkoff returns to the region on Wednesday to try to drive through a temporary extension, but deep-seated differences remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to resume fighting “at any moment” if negotiations stall.