Hamas Signals "Positive Signs" for Gaza Ceasefire Extension Amid Cairo Talks
Hamas announced positive signs for continuing a ceasefire with Israel during talks in Cairo. Despite hopes, divisions remain over key issues, including military disarmament and sovereignty. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar work to bridge these gaps, as both sides face pressure to resolve the enduring conflict affecting Gaza's future.
hassan benyoub 
Cairo – March 08, 2025
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement, announced on Saturday that it has observed “positive signs” for continuing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in Gaza. The statement came during ongoing discussions with international mediators in Cairo regarding the second phase of a ceasefire agreement that initially took effect on January 19 and saw its first phase conclude on March 1.
Abdul Latif Al-Qanoua, a Hamas spokesperson, said in a statement: “There are positive signs for launching negotiations on the second phase of the truce.” He underscored the ongoing efforts of Egyptian and Qatari mediators to fully implement the ceasefire deal, which seeks to stabilize Gaza after over 15 months of war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
A high-level Hamas delegation met with Egyptian mediators on Saturday to discuss preserving the tenuous truce, reflecting cautious optimism amid a deeply divided landscape.
Fragile Truce Faces Persistent Divisions
Despite these developments, the ceasefire remains fragile due to stark disagreements between Hamas and Israel over the path to a permanent resolution. Al-Qanoua stressed the “need to compel Israel, through mediation, to honor the agreement,” adding that Hamas is “ready to begin the second phase in a way that meets the demands of the Palestinian people.”
Israel, however, seeks to extend the initial ceasefire phase until mid-April, pushing for “complete disarmament” of Gaza, the removal of Hamas from the territory, and the release of remaining hostages before advancing to the next stage. In contrast, Hamas— which has controlled Gaza since 2007—demands a full Israeli military withdrawal, an end to the blockade, reconstruction of the enclave, and financial aid tied to recent Arab summit outcomes.
A High-Stakes Negotiation
The Cairo talks highlight the competing visions for Gaza’s future. Hamas aims to improve living conditions in the blockaded strip, home to 2.4 million people, while Israel prioritizes security guarantees to prevent future attacks. The war, which devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, has left both sides under pressure to deliver results—whether through peace or renewed conflict.
Mediators face a daunting task: bridging the gap between Israel’s military objectives and Hamas’s insistence on sovereignty and relief. The international community, including Egypt and Qatar, continues to play a pivotal role, but success hinges on mutual concessions that have so far proven elusive.
What Lies Ahead for Gaza?
As negotiations unfold, the question looms: Can international mediation secure a lasting ceasefire, or will the fragile truce collapse into violence once more? For now, the Palestinian people and the world watch closely as Gaza’s fate hangs in the balance, with time as the ultimate arbiter.
Stay updated on the latest developments in the Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks, Gaza’s reconstruction efforts, and Middle East peace negotiations.
