The Israeli government agreed to adopt a proposal by US President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to extend the temporary ceasefire in Gaza through the month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover festival.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office made the announcement early on Sunday, just hours after the first phase of the ceasefire expired.
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan started this weekend and continues through March 30. The Jewish festival of Passover begins on the evening of April 12 and ends on the evening of April 20.
Half of hostages to be released in ceasefire's extended first phase
According to Witkoff's proposal, half of the remaining hostages still currently held in Gaza, both alive and dead, would be released, Netanyahu's office said.
The proposal set out that the remaining hostages would be released after a permanent ceasefire was agreed.
Witkoff proposed extending the current ceasefire after realizing more time was needed for talks on a permanent ceasefire, according to the statement from Netanyahu's office.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem had said earlier on Saturday the group rejected Israel's "formulation" of extending the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, although no specific mention of Witkoff's plan was made.
Two Palestinian officials familiar with the negotiation told Reuters news agency Israel refused to enter the second phase of the ceasefire agreement or start talks about it. Hamas, however, rejected an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire and insisted on adhering to the agreement, which calls for negotiations on the second phase that would ultimately end fighting in Gaza and see the release of all hostages.
Under the terms of the January ceasefire deal, fighting should not resume while negotiations are underway on phase two. Israel's new statement, however, says it can return to fighting "if it believes that the negotiations are ineffective."
First phase of ceasefire ended 15 months of fighting
The ceasefire agreement reached in January halted 15 months of fighting, allowing the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais.
In exchange, around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israel were also released. The first phase was meant to lead to subsequent talks to build on the ceasefire deal.
Talks about a permanent ceasefire have been ongoing but have not led to an agreement. Netanyahu's office said Israel would immediately conduct negotiations on Witkoff's plan if Hamas agreed to it. Israel and several other countries designate Hamas a terrorist organization.
"According to the agreement, Israel can return to fighting after the 42nd day if it feels that the negotiations are ineffective," Netanyahu's office also said, accusing Hamas of violating the deal.
Both sides have been trading accusations of violating the deal.
