Hamas says new round of ceasefire talks started as Israel halts aid delivery, power supply to Gaza

CAIRO – 12 March 2025: Hamas has announced the commencement of a new round of ceasefire negotiations, emphasizing its commitment to handling the discussions “responsibly and positively.”

Senior Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadid said in press remarks that these ongoing discussions include negotiations with the US envoy for captives, Adam Boehler.

Hamas’s remarks come while Israel has continued its blockade of food and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza since the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas expired on 1 March.

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen also announced on Sunday immediately cutting power supply for Gaza, asserting that Tel Aviv will “operate all of the tools that are at our disposal, to ensure the return of all the hostages.”

The power cuts reportedly affect a desalination plant producing 18,000 cubic meters of drinking water per day for central Gaza residents.

Hamas is pushing for transition to the second phase of the agreement, which includes the release of all captives in exchange for an end to the Israeli war, which has killed more than 48,000 people since October 2023.

Hamas still holds a total of 59 captives in Gaza, including 24 who are believed to be still alive. This initial phase saw Hamas release 38 captives, including eight deceased, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Instead of moving to the second phase of the deal, Israel aims to extend the expired first phase to allow for the release of more captives without the obligation to end the war.

Boehler held recent direct talks with Hamas, representing a significant departure from the US longstanding policy of avoiding direct engagement with the movement.

In TV remarks, the US envoy regarded his talks with the Hamas officials as “very helpful,” stating that a deal can be reached “within weeks.”

Five American captives are still held by Hamas in Gaza, four of them have been confirmed dead by Israeli authorities, while Edan Alexander is believed to be still alive.

Shadid expressed hope that this round will lead to tangible progress toward initiating the second phase of the ceasefire talks. This would pave the way for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of forces from the Gaza Strip, and the completion of a captive-prisoner exchange deal.