Hamas Considers Second Phase of Ceasefire Agreement; PKK Announces Conditional Halt to Hostilities Against Turkey

The 42-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, initiated after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, may proceed to its second phase. Hamas has reiterated its commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement, which includes the release of remaining hostages and a complete end to the war. The initial phase involved exchanging 33 hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The banned Kurdish PKK announced a conditional cessation of hostilities against Turkey, following a call from its imprisoned founder, Abdullah Öcalan. The PKK's commitment to a ceasefire is contingent on Öcalan being allowed to live and work freely and lead a congress for the PKK's dissolution. Turkey's President Erdoğan views this move as a historic opportunity to dismantle "the wall of terror."