As the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire ends, both sides continue to negotiate but are also preparing for a possible return to war.
When the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced in January, Israelis and Palestinians simultaneously began celebrating, full of optimism after 15 months of war.
Now, with the first phase of the deal ending on Sunday and Israel presenting a completely new proposal that Hamas has already rejected, there is growing concern that the fighting that has left Gaza in ruins, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and put the lives of hostages at risk could resume.
As the ceasefire falters, both Hamas and Israel are choosing two paths: diplomatic and military.
On the diplomatic front, Hamas is pushing for the implementation of the second phase of the original agreement, which calls for an end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of more hostages and prisoners.
Israel, however, made a new offer to extend the current cease-fire for seven weeks, during which Hamas would be required to release half of the remaining living hostages, as well as the remains of half of those killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday attributed the offer to the work of President Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Israel has been sending signals for weeks that it is not interested in moving forward with a second phase of the deal. Although both sides agreed in principle to a second phase, they have failed to work out the details and have put forward irreconcilable visions.
