**Gaza Ceasefire in Peril**
A fragile ceasefire in Gaza is on the verge of collapse. The agreement, which started on January 19, was meant to bring peace to the region after a period of intense fighting.
**Israel and Hamas at an Impasse**
The second stage of the ceasefire was supposed to begin this week, with Israel pulling its troops from the Philadelphi corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that US envoy Steve Witkoff has come up with a new plan.
**New Proposal Announced**
Under the new proposal, Israel would extend the first stage of the ceasefire for another 50 days to cover the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover. In exchange, Hamas would release half of the remaining hostages immediately.
**Blame Game Begins**
Netanyahu has put the blame squarely on Hamas, saying that the group is no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire. However, Israeli media report that Washington is also putting pressure on Netanyahu not to restart fighting.
**Protesters Demand Action**
On Sunday night, hundreds of protesters broke down police barriers outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, demanding action to bring back all hostages. The US president, Donald Trump, could again play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the conflict.
**Both Sides Prepare for War**
As tensions rise, both Israel and Hamas are preparing to resume fighting while they weigh their options for winning a peace on their terms.
