Netanyahu rejects 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire
JERUSALEM (AA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected moving to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
The Israeli government early Sunday halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, hours after the expiry of the first phase of the Jan 19 agreement.
Speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he held a security discussion Saturday night with Defense Minister Israel Katz, coalition party leaders, security officials, and his negotiation team.
“At the end of the discussion, we decided on the following steps: Israel will adopt the plan proposed by President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire during (the Muslim month of) Ramadan and (the Jewish holiday of) Passover. We are fully coordinating with President (Donald) Trump and his team,” Netanyahu said.
He said more time was needed to reach a possible agreement.
Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, however, expressed his support for advancing to the second phase of the agreement.
“I support the second phase; there is no greater commandment than redeeming prisoners,” Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted Arbel as saying.
Netanyahu said that Hamas has “put forward positions for a permanent ceasefire that are totally unacceptable.”
Netanyahu had sought to extend the initial exchange phase to secure the release of as many Israeli captives as possible without offering anything in return or fulfilling the military and humanitarian obligations of the agreement.
Hamas has refused to proceed under these conditions, insisting that Israel abide by the terms of the ceasefire and immediately start negotiations for the second phase, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war.
The ceasefire agreement has halted Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 48,380 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
