The first phase of the agreement is drawing to a close, and both sides are having difficulties continuing on to phase 2. On the Hamas side the next phase has to include all the demands that amount to an Israeli surrender; full withdrawal from Gaza, release of all terrorist prisoners, return of Hamas to governing Gaza, opening the border (ending the isolation), rebuilding (at Israeli expense, because Hamas has no funds allocated for this), and provision of (unlimited) aid. The Israeli side wants ALL hostages released (both living and dead) and an end to Hamas rule. Yes, some of those requirements are mutually exclusive.
In addition, there are the claims of violating conditions of phase one. Hamas has sent people north into areas where Israel said they were not allowed to go. (playing for media attention). Hamas has also managed to manufacture a rocket and launch it at Israel. The rocket did not make it over the border fence, and fell inside Gaza. Hamas says they did not receive all the aid they need. Israel won’t let them have heavy construction equipment and excessive amounts of building material that could be used to reconstruct underground tunnels. Both sides have halted prisoner and hostage exchanges. Etc. etc. etc. …
There were never face to face negotiations, and, so far, even indirect negotiations via third parties have not resumed. There is a lot of propaganda (mostly aimed at media and countries not directly involved) and a lot of it involves threats of resuming the war. We are left waiting to see who blinks first. Outside of Gaza, Israel is not waiting. Military Pressure is being applied in Lebanon wherever Hezbollah is found south of the Litani River. IDF forces have occupied outposts in Syria to ensure no Iranian (or proxy) forces come near the border, and in Judea and Samaria there are active anti-terrorist operations constantly going on.
