Worries over Gaza ceasefire ending – 13 February 2025
There are worries that the ceasefire (pause in fighting) in Gaza could end this week, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the peace agreement.
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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Hamas, the group that controls Gaza, is still holding 76 hostages who were captured from Israel. Taking hostages is a war crime but Hamas has refused to hand them back, and Israel says that more than 35 are thought to be dead.
Three hostages were due to be handed over this Saturday, but then US President Donald Trump got involved and said that Hamas should hand “all” the hostages back. However, it’s not clear if Israel is now demanding all 76 hostages be handed over this Saturday.
Hamas cancelled the planned handover of the three hostages, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that if they’re not handed over by noon on Saturday, the fighting will begin again.
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaking the agreement that was signed on 15 January. The ceasefire began on 19 January, but this week’s developments are the biggest danger to the peace process so far.
Talks between the two sides were due to lead to a permanent ceasefire agreement and all hostages, alive and dead, being handed back.
