Hamas has put forward a new proposal regarding the second phase of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The group has expressed willingness to release all Israeli hostages at once, but with conditions—demanding a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

A Hamas spokesperson stated that, at the request of mediators, they have proposed doubling the number of hostages to be released. He dismissed Israel’s claim that Hamas will be removed from Gaza as “laughable” and a mere psychological tactic.

Meanwhile, internal pressure from Israeli hardliners has left Israel indecisive, causing the second-phase hostage release and ceasefire agreement to remain stalled.

Despite a ceasefire agreement allowing the entry of reconstruction materials, Israel had initially blocked the supplies at the Rafah border. This sparked a wave of condemnation. In response, Hamas announced that it would backtrack on its commitment to release hostages. This raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire. Eventually, under mounting pressure, Israel allowed the entry of reconstruction materials into Gaza. According to a report by the Times of Israel on Tuesday, it is believed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took this step to expedite the transfer of six living hostages and others who are deceased.

According to a report by the Turkish Anadolu Agency on Monday, Israeli forces launched a new military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus. Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli army entered the Old City of Nablus, conducting several house searches. After seizing a Palestinian vehicle, the troops left the area. This operation followed a military raid in the Old City of Nablus on Sunday, which resulted in 14 Palestinians being injured, including four children. Israeli military operations in this region have been ongoing since January 21, resulting in at least 55 deaths and the displacement of thousands of people.

An investigation has revealed that Israeli forces used an elderly Palestinian man as a human shield by strapping explosives around his neck before killing him and his wife. The Israeli news website Ha-Makom reported the horrific incident, which took place in May 2023. The 80-year-old victim was threatened with death if he did not comply. The soldiers then tied explosives to his neck and used him in three separate military operations before ultimately executing him. This "mosquito strategy" has reportedly been employed by Israeli forces multiple times.

Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement in Gaza by launching an airstrike on the eastern part of Rafah city. The attack, which targeted members of Hamas-controlled police, resulted in the deaths of three police officers, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior. Gaza officials stated that this airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, constitutes a clear violation of the ceasefire that has been in place since January 19. Israel claimed the attack targeted armed individuals approaching their forces. Hamas authorities confirmed the slain officers were stationed to secure the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. The international community has been urged to take a stand against the Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s police forces.

On Saturday at 10 AM local time, Hamas released three Israeli hostages—Alexander Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn—in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. The release took place under strict security and in the presence of fighters from both sides. A senior Hamas official signed the handover documents with Red Cross representatives. Following their brief statements to the Palestinian people, the hostages left for Israel. In return, Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners.

Arab nations, led by Saudi Arabia, are formulating an alternative plan to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. A high-level meeting in Riyadh, involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE, will discuss strategies, including a reconstruction fund and governance excluding Hamas. Egypt’s draft plan, favoring Gaza’s rebuilding over relocation, is gaining traction. The initiative, backed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected to be presented at the Arab summit on February 27.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a disturbing plan to seize Gaza and expel Palestinians from the region, sparking widespread protests globally. Arab and Muslim-majority countries, in particular, strongly rejected his proposal, voicing fierce opposition. In response, Egypt announced the organization of an Arab summit, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia decided to convene an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the Gaza crisis. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the hosting of an urgent summit on February 20, which will bring together leaders from four Arab countries to discuss Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza. The summit will be attended by leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also participating. (Source: AFP)

Despite the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Israel conducted airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip on Thursday (February 13). No immediate casualties were reported. According to Anadolu News Agency, the Israeli military claimed the targeted location was used for launching rockets. Palestinian authorities have yet to respond. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than 12,000 missing. Although a ceasefire was declared on January 19, Israel continues to violate it.

After previously refusing to release Israeli hostages due to allegations that Israel was not honoring the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has now changed its stance. According to a report by The Times of Israel, the Palestinian resistance group has announced plans to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday.

This decision came a day after a Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo for negotiations with mediators. Hamas stated that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have assured them of efforts to remove obstacles hindering the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

During an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday (February 12), Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri stated that Hamas remains committed to the agreed hostage release schedule but will not release all Israeli hostages on Saturday. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that failure to release hostages by Saturday would result in severe consequences. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, stating, "If all hostages are not returned by Saturday noon, I believe it's time to call off the ceasefire deal."

Following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed their countries' unified stance on Gaza. They stressed that Palestinians must not be displaced from their homeland. Trump had earlier warned that if Egypt and Jordan refused to accept Palestinian refugees, U.S. aid to these nations could be cut. Arab News reports that Egypt and Jordan are leading a strong regional resistance against Trump's plan to relocate Gazan Palestinians to their territories.

Tariq Abu Jabal and his family sought refuge in a school to escape Israeli airstrikes, but the attack still reached them—his wife was killed, and his child went missing. For a year, he had no knowledge of whether his son, Mohammed, was alive. Then, during a TV interview, Abu Jabal recognized his son’s face. It was later revealed that another family, also fleeing the bombing, had found the child alone and crying at the school and had taken him in. The reunion has given Abu Jabal a renewed will to live.

Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement but holds Israel responsible for any delays or complications. Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed threats of war, Hamas released a statement accusing Israel of failing to uphold the terms of the ceasefire. Previously, Hamas warned that Israeli violations of the truce had reached a point where further negotiations were impossible. As a result, the militant group has indefinitely suspended the exchange of Israeli hostages. Hamas clarified that prisoner exchanges would resume only if Israel honors its commitments under the agreement.

According to a United Nations report on Wednesday, rebuilding war-torn Gaza and addressing the "humanitarian catastrophe" in the region will require an estimated $53 billion. The report, cited by Al Jazeera, states that $20 billion is needed in the first three years alone. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency of restoring Gaza’s infrastructure, as nearly 85% of Palestinians in the enclave have been displaced, with 60% of buildings damaged or destroyed. The Israeli offensive has resulted in over 48,000 deaths, with more than 13,000 people missing.