The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired on Saturday without a clear path forward for negotiations.
In the original ceasefire agreement, Israel and Hamas were supposed to begin negotiations on a second phase a month ago. The second phase would have Hamas release dozens of hostages in exchange for Israel pulling out entirely from Gaza and establishing a permanent ceasefire.
But on Sunday, Israel announced a new ceasefire proposal.
The new proposal would extend the temporary ceasefire until April 20th. On the first day of the next phase, Hamas would release half of the remaining 59 hostages. The remaining hostages would be released once Israel and Hamas reached a permanent ceasefire agreement.
Hamas rejected the new proposal and accused Israel of derailing the second phase of the current ceasefire agreement.
In response, Israel stopped the flow of aid it had provided to Gaza throughout the first phase of the ceasefire. Israel warned there would be “additional consequences” if Hamas did not agree to the extended ceasefire.
Hamas decried Israel’s action as a “war crime” and mediators Egypt and Qatar accused Israel of violating humanitarian law.
The U.S. has not commented on the new ceasefire proposal, but National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the U.S. would support Israel’s decision.
