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Hamas claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sabotaging the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and that the Israeli government is not participating in negotiations for the deal’s second phase, which is scheduled to end on March 1.

Although the second and third phases of the agreement are understood to be in principle agreed upon, they were supposed to be negotiated during the six-week first phase, which saw the release of Israeli prisoners in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the aid delivery into the enclave ravaged by the 15-month Israeli bombardment. Per the deal, which started on January 19, the second phase, if finalised, would see the release of all the Israeli captives and a permanent ceasefire.

Basem Naim, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, told Al Jazeera on Saturday that the right-wing government is playing dirty games to sabotage, derail, and send a message of willingness to go back to war.

He claimed that Gaza’s Palestinian government has continued to support the agreement and has complied with its obligations.

He claimed that Israel had broken the agreement’s terms. “Over 100 Palestinians were killed in the first phase, a large portion of the agreed humanitarian aid was not flown into Gaza,” Naim said. “The military division that divides Gaza into north and south was postponed” due to the withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor.

Earlier this month, Israeli officials confirmed to The New York Times that Hamas’s claims against Israel’s violations of the deal were accurate. However, they have been formally denied by the Israeli government.

Israel had agreed to let 200 000 tents and 60 000 mobile homes enter Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement, but that requirement hasn’t been fulfilled. 2.4 million Palestinians live in Gaza, and more than 90% of their homes have been displaced, leaving a large portion of the area rubble.

Since starting its offensive on October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 48,319 Palestinians. More than 13, 000 people who are still unaccounted for under the rubble are said to be dead, according to the Gaza-based government media office. At least 1, 139 people were killed and some 240 people were taken captive in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.

Netanyahu is “not interested in phase two,” he said.

Netanyahu has threatened to put the Gaza war on hold, and he has said he is “committed” to the Israeli government’s plan to “take over” the area and relocate its Palestinian residents. Trump’s current behavior gives the impression that he has abandoned that strategy.

The Israeli leader has stated on numerous occasions that he is determined to accomplish the objectives of the Gaza war, including destroying Hamas’s military and governing capacities. Additionally, his cabinet is yet to decide whether the conditions for the transition to the second phase of the Gaza truce agreement have been met.

Netanyahu’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will lead the negotiations involving Hamas in phase two of the ceasefire agreement, according to Israeli media reports on Tuesday. The previous round of discussions was led by Shin Bet’s Ronen Bar and Dedi Barnea’s Mossad’s Dedi Barnea.

The appointment of Dermer, a long-time friend of Netanyahu, to lead the Israeli negotiating team, according to political analyst Xavier Abu Eid, has a significant impact on how the negotiations will turn out in the long run.

“It makes a big difference because Dermer is someone who works for Netanyahu, not for the]Israeli] state”, he said.

Nour Odeh, a spokesperson for Al Jazeera, said: “This is the pattern we have seen over the past weeks: Israel meets with the US, meets with the mediators, and then decides what can be resolved.”

” On March 1, phase one of the ceasefire ends. Everyone is left wondering whether the ceasefire can survive, she said from Amman, the capital of Jordan. “Without a commitment from both sides to keep talking and maintain calm, everyone is left wondering.”

Former Israeli ambassador and consul general Alon Pinkas in New York asserted to Al Jazeera that the holding of the first phase does not necessarily indicate that the second phase will be more challenging.

Netanyahu is not interested in phase two, which is the reason. On day 42, which will be a week from now, Israel will reduce its force in Gaza. On day 50, it includes not just a force reduction, but a withdrawal, “Pinkas told Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv.

He claimed that the ceasefire would put an end to the conflict, which the Israeli prime minister does not support.

” Politically, he can afford neither the withdrawal nor the official end of the war, “he added.

Hamas is prepared to give up its position in Gaza’s governance.

If the Israeli-occupied Gaza ceasefire is broken, it will enrage Israeli citizens who are still being held there to stay in the region.

The captives’ families have already voiced their protests in Tel Aviv, with the majority of the captives’ advocates calling on the Israeli government to stop the deal from being broken.

According to Al Jazeera’s Odeh, Netanyahu’s families have serious doubts about their desire to have all the captives freed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

“Allies of Netanyahu have made it clear that they have no intention of starting phase two and do not think Israel should be putting an end to the conflict,” they said. They are even urging Israel to annex parts of the Gaza Strip, making it possible for them to return to bombing Gaza.

The Israeli government and many in Israel have been vocal opponents of the ceasefire, arguing that Hamas’s complete defeat should set the stage for the conflict in Gaza.

On Saturday, the Hamas leader declared that his organization was ready to give up its leadership position in Gaza.

Before October 7 [2023], he stated repeatedly that he and other members of the Palestinian people were willing to renounce the governing position in the Gaza Strip and to allow any Palestinian unity government, technocratic government, or any alternative that was chosen by the Palestinians under the Palestinian consensus.

Naim expressed his satisfaction with an Egyptian proposal to form a committee in collaboration with Ramallah’s Palestinian Authority government to govern all aspects of life in Gaza.

Hamas was established as a national Palestinian resistance movement with clear objectives, including “to achieve the Palestinian genuine and national goals of statehood, self-determination, and the right to return,” according to the official.

Aaqib Javed, the coach of Pakistan, claims that his fast bowlers are “match-winners” and will do something special against India in their crucial Champions Trophy match on Sunday.

In order to maintain their position of dominance in the semifinals, hosts Pakistan and defending champions Pakistan must win the blockbuster showdown with India in Dubai.

Pakistan are bottom of Group A after defeating Bangladesh in their opening match of the 50-over competition against New Zealand.

In their 30 combined overs, Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf combined for a total of 214 runs.

However, Aaqib asserted that the trio would rise to the occasion. “We have three specialists and I would say one of the best pace bowling options in today’s game with Shaheen, Naseem and Haris”, Aaqib told reporters on Saturday.

The former seam bowler said the current attack evokes the 1990s, when Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Aaqib stepped up following Imran Khan’s death.

“They still have time to reach that level, but they have all the ability to repeat those sort of performances”, said Aaqib. “I believe they will bring something special to your game against India,” the player said.

He added, “Our fast bowling options are good and they are match-winners”.

Due to political unrest, the two rival countries’ bilateral cricket ties are shaky, and they only play one another in multination competitions.

India will play all of their matches at the Dubai International Stadium, which is anticipated to be full for the high-profile match, on their refusal to travel to Pakistan for this eight-nation tournament.

Aaqib claims that pressure produces champions in Pakistan, who defeated India in the previous Champions Trophy final in 2017 from Karachi.

“There is no game you play without pressure”, said Aaqib. “Between India and Pakistan, it doesn’t matter it’s a knock-out or whatever. It is beyond the game”.

Aaqib said, “If you look at the positive, it’s the best time and best chance for any individual or a team to make a mark. A player needs to demonstrate his game with passion and pressure.

Pakistan hype doesn’t change anything for India

India vice-captain Shubman Gill said the eagerly awaited match is a fan favourite, but for his team, it’s business as usual.

Gill, who scored an unbeaten 101 in India’s opening game against Bangladesh, said the team will work hard to maintain their winning streak.

“It doesn’t change anything for us honestly”, Gill said of taking on Pakistan.

We play every game to win, and this is true for all of us. We also practice this in every game. So we’ll also be preparing for this one in that manner.

Millions tune in to watch the match, which generates a sizable revenue for broadcasters, as TV ratings rise when the Asian giants clash on the field of play.

When the two teams play each other, India and Pakistan desert their streets, and Gill claimed he cannot deny the fans’ excitement.

“There is a long history of India-Pakistan and it’s a very exciting contest when both the teams play”, said Gill.

Everyone finds it entertaining to watch. Who should we call “under-hyped” or “over-hyped” if so many people are experiencing happiness while watching this game?

He added, “We go out to play cricket. We make every effort to win and represent our country.

The rivals last met in a one-day game at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, with hosts India winning by seven wickets.

While Pakistan is battling to survive the tournament, India is aware that a victory will send them into the semifinals.

With a better run-rate, New Zealand leads Group A ahead of India. Pakistan is the group’s fourth and last.

The semifinals feature the top two teams from each of the two groups.

When pressed further about the enormity of the game, Gill said: “It is a big match. However, I believe the team’s final game will undoubtedly be the biggest game. And definitely, we have been playing some good ODI cricket”.

Gill argued that despite some inconsistent play and poor results, Pakistan still has a dangerous side. “Pakistan, unfortunately, has lost some matches recently”, said Gill.

“But by no means, are we going to take them as a lesser side. They have a strong side, so it’s crucial for us to play our A-game tomorrow.

Gill has had his best 50-over season of his life, and he celebrated his second ODI century in a row on Thursday after being crucial in India’s recent 3-0 victory over England.

In parliament on January 29, far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) MPs gathered to pose for selfies with party leader Alice Weidel, 46. Weidel, dressed in a white rollneck and navy blazer, gave a reticent but pleased-looking smile at the camera.

Moments earlier, AfD had made history. Votes had an impact on national policy for the first time since they entered the 2017 federal parliament.

The motion to restrict immigration was nonbinding. The fact that the center-right opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which supported it, and the libertarian Free Democratic Party (FDP), who supported it, relied on additional AfD votes to get it approved was what mattered.

Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, did so in order to overthrow the extreme and the far right.

“Merz was avoiding eye contact, the]ruling] Social Democratic Party (SDP) was furious, the AfD was over the moon, standing on chairs, embracing each other”, Jens Bastian, an economist with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, told Al Jazeera.

“It was as if the AfD had scored the goal to win the championship: ‘ We’ve provided a majority. We’ve become acceptable, ‘” he said.

A mentally ill Afghan man had knife-wielding attack on a group of children in a park in Aschaffenburg, near Frankfurt, a city in the west, a week before the election. He killed a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man who tried to protect him.

Weeks earlier, a Saudi-born man had rammed a car into a crowd of Christmas shoppers, killing six people in the eastern city of Magdeburg.

Public outcry and calls for tougher immigration reform were sparked by the attacks.

Merz, who is leading in the polls before Sunday’s federal elections and is Germany’s likely next chancellor, “felt he had to do something visibly different”, retired diplomat Christian Schlaga told Al Jazeera, referring to the January 29 vote.

“I believe it is wrong”, former CDU Chancellor Angela Merkel said&nbsp, on her website.

Merz introduced a legally binding bill to the Bundestag two days after the motion was approved to strengthen border controls, enforcing restrictions on migrants’ ability to bring family members to Germany, and allowing federal police to issue their own arrest warrants. The measure failed.

A dozen CDU MPs turned down their party leader after being criticized for making a “common cause” with the far right.

Weidel was incensed. “Merz doesn’t have what it takes to be chancellor”, she told reporters. “The conservatives aren’t united”.

The CDU’s position in the polls was not affected by last month’s federal collaboration, suggesting that not all Germans are offended by the AfD’s participation in political decisions as the Berlin political elite.

Merz has vowed to never form a coalition with the AfD and Weidel, as did SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

But he seems to be testing the waters of ad hoc collaboration. This is partly born of necessity. In the future, Merz may need AfD votes, particularly to halt immigration.

The AfD, which is currently polling 21 percent, is projected to surpass the CDU in the next Bundestag as Germans prepare to cast ballots. The anti-immigrant AfD’s candidate for chancellor is Weidel. So who is she, and how is she shaping her party?

Rising through the ranks

Weidel, who grew up in a middle-class family in a town in northwest Germany, came to politics after a career in finance. She worked as an analyst for Goldman Sachs and Allianz Global Investors in Frankfurt while studying economics as an undergraduate, earned a doctorate, and has a PhD after finishing her dissertation on China’s pension system. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which is affiliated with the CDU, financed her doctoral thesis, which may suggest she started out as a moderate conservative. She owned her own consulting firm before joining the AfD. She divides her time between Switzerland and Germany and is married to a woman of Sri Lankan descent who has two sons.

Weidel quickly rose to the top of the AfD after being founded by a group of eurosceptic academics in late 2013. It was created in opposition to bailouts of nations whose debts have fallen since the eurozone’s collapse. The AfD pushed for what it claimed was regaining German sovereignty from the EU, drawing in anti-globalization reactionaries, nativists, and anti-system supporters of all kinds, including neo-Nazis. Due to her opposition to the bailouts, Weidel was drawn to the AfD before it shifted to immigration.

Weidel served as the party’s federal executive committee by 2015, and she became the party’s parliamentary bloc’s rapporteur after the party re-entered the Bundestag in 2017 and won 12.6% of the federal vote to become the third-largest party. Both in the 2017 and 2021 elections, she was AfD’s co-leader with Tino Chrupalla, an eastern German politician.

Meanwhile, after Greece and other struggling eurozone members had been bailed out and the euro secured, foreign policy choices under Merkel to serve Germany’s economy, the largest in Europe, unravelled.

Under American pressure, a trade agreement of German origin that made it easier to export to China was shelved in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic in the same year doused consumption and shuttered factories.

When unknown actors sabotaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines beneath the Baltic Sea, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 slowed the imports of cheap Russian gas to the energy-intensive German industries.

German energy costs increased as a result of these shocks. The AfD benefited from the inflation that resulted in Scholz’s coalition government.

“Exports to China, cheap imports of energy from Russia – that was the economic model that defined]post-communist German] reunification and the Merkel era. That strategy has been abandoned, and it embodied the character of a prosperous Germany, according to Catherine Fieschi, a fellow at the European University Institute in Paris with a focus on populist politics.

Strategy and staying power

Weidel has blamed globalisation for Germany’s troubles and tapped into voter discontent.

“We have had … incredible growth from 2010 until 2021. Who wants to give that up again”? Schlaga asked, describing how many voters feel.

Weidel was described by Fieschi as “ambitious” and “ready to mutate, do whatever it takes, and find the right conveyor belt to really crack the system” of mainstream German politics.

“Weidel basically has decided the way to get to]power] is to go via a formerly intellectual party, turn it into a populist party, hitch it to the east and then go mainstream from there”, said Fieschi, who sees her as an able strategist.

She supports a return to fossil fuels, criticized Europe’s transition to green energy, and demanded stricter immigration restrictions.

Weidel concentrated much of her campaign efforts in the former East Germany.

The east, which has remained poorer than western Germany since reunification, is a natural “reservoir of votes of dissent,” according to Fieschi, who has been particularly well-known.

But it is also, Fieschi argued, more tolerant of far-right rhetoric than the former West Germany.

“For her supporters in the east, she really doesn’t have to try that hard because in the East German imagination, … Nazism happened in West Germany”, Fieschi said.

“That is pretty strategic thinking, and the strategy totally overtakes the ideas. She said, “The ideas are whatever it takes at any given time.”

As the AfD’s message and identity have expanded from its original focus on the euro to addressing migration, energy, the parlous state of Germany’s armed forces, for which Weidel supports bringing back conscription, and the European project as a whole, Weidel has had the most staying power.

“The party has consumed a lot of founding members”, Bastian said.

In 2022, AfD co-chairman Jorg Meuthen resigned after what he described as a power struggle against the party’s hardliners, who he said included Weidel. After telling an interviewer that not all Nazi SS paramilitary members were criminals, Maximilian Krah, the lead candidate for AfD’s European Parliament ticket, was pressured to resign from the party’s federal executive committee in May. Meanwhile, Weidel has embraced members like Bjorn Hocke, who has twice been found guilty of using a Nazi slogan.

Outwardly, Weidel comports herself professionally, wearing suits and sporting a handkerchief in her breast pocket. She emphasizes her expertise and skill in a professional setting.

“She says, ‘ Yes, I talk to]Chinese President] Xi Jinping in Mandarin. I read the original Chinese policy documents. I understand in which direction China is going, I’ve worked there. ‘ That’s about competence but also foreign policy the other]party leaders] have no answer to”, Bastian said.

She’s also a savvy communicator, reaching young voters on TikTok and X.

One of Weidel’s recent videos shows her hiking in a snow-covered, forested landscape, presenting a wholesome image as she recites the chancellor’s oath. “I swear that I will dedicate my strength to the wellbeing of the German people, to promote their welfare, protect them from harm”, she says in her voiceover,.

She has become AfD’s face. Two-thirds of Germans would not be able to name the other leader”, Bastian said, referring to Chrupalla.

Meanwhile, in an interview with billionaire Elon Musk on X last month, Weidel as the face of the AfD performed a verbal and ideological somersault. The far-right party has tried to distance itself from Nazism, and Weidel’s historical revisionism recast Nazis as “socialists”.

“The biggest success]of the left] after that terrible era in our history was to label Adolf Hitler as right and conservative. He was exactly the opposite. … He was a communist, socialist guy”, Weidel told Musk.

“We are exactly the opposite. We are a libertarian, conservative party. We want to free the people, but we are constantly being wrongly framed.

‘ Saying things ‘ other parties aren’t

Weidel’s gift seems to be channelling dissent and, by voicing it, allowing others to express it.

“Germans need someone to express their anger” over falling living standards, Fieschi said.

Weidel’s positions, which break with political orthodoxy, also implicitly tell German voters it’s not reprehensible to speak their minds, even if what they have to say is negative or politically incorrect.

“Immigration was difficult to touch for parties. She’s making remarks on an issue that other political parties are not going to [admit], according to Christina Xydias, a political scientist at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and author of a book about German female politicians.

Weidel argued at a party rally in Riesa, eastern Germany, last month that a far-right term would be removed and sent back to the country of origin.

“I have to tell you quite honestly, if it’s called remigration, then it’s called remigration”, she thundered.

“The whole audience got up”, Bastian said, describing the audience’s exhilaration. “Remigration. The term went mainstream”.

“There are suggestions that the AfD, if they really want to make a difference, have to go a bit more mainstream, tone down the rough edges”, he said.

“I’m not convinced. Because they don’t do it, the AfD are actually growing. They’re seen as the original, as the authentic, as the ones who are saying it the way it should be said”.