Netanyahu faces frightening choice as Hamas talks collapse

Negotiations to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed late Friday, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recall Israel’s delegation from Cairo and convene an urgent meeting, with another planned for Saturday evening. The breakdown followed Hamas’s rejection of an Israeli proposal to prolong the current truce phase by 42 days under existing terms, raising uncertainty over the fate of 24 hostages still held in Gaza.

The talks, led by Israel’s Shin Bet chief, stalled after Israel offered to maintain the conditions of the first ceasefire phase, which officially ended Saturday. That phase, initiated in January, had secured the release of 25 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal from populated Gaza areas—an agreement now at risk.

A key sticking point emerged over the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic border strip between Gaza and Egypt. Israel, despite pledging a gradual withdrawal by day 50 in the original deal, signaled last week it would not cede control, a stance Hamas cited in refusing to proceed, according to statements from both sides.

Netanyahu’s emergency Friday night discussion addressed the impasse, with Saturday’s follow-up expected to weigh resuming military operations or pursuing further diplomacy. The deadlock leaves unresolved the next phase of releases, intended to free remaining captives, including civilians and soldiers, amid Hamas’s push for a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to hostilities.

A Hamas spokesperson, addressing the collapse, said, “Israel wants to retrieve its hostages while reserving the option to restart fighting,” adding that no talks on a second phase were underway. The spokesperson accused Israel of stalling and avoiding a commitment to end the war, a charge Israeli officials have not directly addressed.

Another point of contention is Israel’s demand for assurances that Hamas will not retain control of Gaza, coupled with Hamas’s refusal to disarm, positions reiterated by both parties in recent statements. These unresolved issues have dimmed prospects for an immediate resolution.

The talks’ failure follows a week of heightened diplomatic activity, including a visit from Steve Witkoff, a U.S. envoy close to President Donald Trump, who met Netanyahu and is slated to return to the region soon. Trump’s own diplomatic spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, ending in Zelensky’s White House expulsion, has added a layer of complexity to U.S. mediation efforts.

For now, Israel’s next move hinges on Netanyahu’s discussions, with the ceasefire’s fragile gains—hostage releases and a pause in fighting—hanging in the balance as both sides dig in.