<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Spanish Government has made an appeal this Monday to “consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza and move towards a permanent ceasefire”, after the conclusion of the first phase of the ceasefire and the two parties, Israel and Hamas, still have not reached an agreement on the second, which provides for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages and the total withdrawal of Israeli troops.</strong></h4> “The Government demands the immediate resumption of the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is an international obligation, and essential and urgent in view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation,” continues the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Government reiterates its strong condemnation of terrorism and demands the release of all Israeli hostages, reiterating its support for mediation efforts,” it concludes. Last Friday, the first phase of the ceasefire concluded, in which the two parties exchanged hostages and prisoners. The second phase, which would involve the end of the war and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops, was due to begin in early February, but the parties have not agreed on the withdrawal of Israeli troops or on political and security control of the Gaza Strip. Israel has proposed extending the first phase by another 42 days, something not initially contemplated and which is in line with the plans of the US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Hamas has rejected this proposal, considering that it violates the initial agreement and has demanded that negotiations begin on the second phase. In retaliation for Hamas's position, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday the suspension of the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The Government of Qatar, one of the mediators in the conflict (along with Egypt and the United States), has accused Israel of "using food as a weapon of war." Netanyahu's office has warned that "Israel will not accept a ceasefire without the release of the hostages." For his part, UN Secretary General António Guterres has called on Israel and Hamas to maintain the ceasefire, "fulfill their commitments and implement them fully." Meanwhile, two Palestinians were killed and three others injured on Monday as a result of two Israeli attacks in Rafah, at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, against "two suspects who were approaching them in southern Gaza and who represented a direct threat," according to the Israeli Army.
