Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced Saturday night that Israel has accepted a temporary ceasefire extension proposal brokered by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The extension is intended to cover the Ramadan and Passover period.

This announcement coincides with the expiration of the initial temporary ceasefire agreement.

Netanyahu’s office cited the need for additional time to reach a lasting ceasefire agreement as the reason for agreeing to the extension.

The proposed extension calls for the release of half of the remaining living hostages, as well as the remains of deceased hostages held in Gaza. The remaining hostages would be released upon the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.

Netanyahu’s office stated that under the initial agreement, fighting would resume after the 42nd day if negotiations stalled.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Israel claims that Hamas has thus far rejected the framework necessary for a permanent ceasefire, a claim Hamas has also leveled against Israel.

The Israeli government stated that if Hamas agrees, Israel will immediately begin negotiations on the details of Witkoff’s framework.

If a new ceasefire agreement is not reached, hostilities are scheduled to resume on Sunday.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Witkoff’s proposal acknowledged the significant differences between the parties’ positions, making an immediate end to the war unfeasible and necessitating further negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.

During the initial 42-day ceasefire, which began in mid-January, 38 hostages were released in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Reuters reported that Hamas released a video on Saturday stating that remaining hostages in Gaza would only be released through another exchange for Palestinian prisoners, in line with the original phased ceasefire agreement.

Ongoing talks for a permanent ceasefire, primarily held in Cairo, have reached an impasse.

Reuters contributed to this report.