Middle east on brink? Israel-Hamas tensions reach boiling point

The Middle East ceasefire crisis is escalating, with Israel issuing a strong warning to Hamas. Israel on Sunday announced that if Hamas would not accept the extension of the truce, it would halt humanitarian aid and supply deliveries to Gaza entirely. Hamas responded by denouncing the act as a "war crime."

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has said that in case Hamas spurns the U.S.-suggested prolongation of the ceasefire, the outcome would be disastrous. The Israeli government has not provided any details regarding the actions it may take. The initial phase of the truce, during which there was stepped-up humanitarian relief, expired on Saturday, and negotiations on the second are underway. The phase involves an offer of exchange—Israeli troop pullout from Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages and an enduring ceasefire.

The US ceasefire proposal

The United States has offered an extension of the ceasefire to April 20, calling on Hamas to observe the following conditions:

• The release of half of the remaining hostages during the first stage.
• Release of the remaining hostages on agreeing a firm ceasefire.

Hamas response and efforts at mediation

So far, Hamas has not officially responded to the offer. Egypt and Qatar, the most important mediators between the two parties, have not also made any statements. However, a Hamas official who wished to remain unnamed disclosed that Hamas had earlier turned down Israel's 42-day cease-fire offer, complaining that Israel was breaching the terms of the agreement.

What occurred during the initial phase?

During the first phase of the truce:

• The 15-month-long Gaza war was suspended temporarily.
• 33 hostages were let go in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, eight of whom were dead.
• Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees went back to their families in northern Gaza as humanitarian relief increased.
• Israeli troops pulled back from mandated buffer zones.

Israel puts the number of remaining hostages at 59, with 32 believed dead. What Happens Next? The second round of negotiations was scheduled to be held in early February, but to date, little progress has been made. There have been demonstrations by Israeli citizens calling on the government to extend the ceasefire. The question of the day is whether the truce will be maintained or whether Gaza will be subjected to renewed escalation of violence.