|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/26/gaza-ceasefire-disarm-hamas-phase-two/
Dispute over Disarming Hamas Bedevils Efforts to Extend Gaza Ceasefire
(Washington Post) Gerry Shih - The first, 42-day phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal expired on Saturday. Israel and Hamas, along with the U.S. and Arab government mediators, appear far from reaching an agreement to proceed to the second phase of the ceasefire, which would involve the release of all Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and a permanent end to the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded that Hamas lay down its arms and leave Gaza as a precondition to ending the war. For Hamas, giving up its weapons would contradict its stated raison d'etre of waging armed struggle against Israel.