Hamas urges pressure on 'Israel' to start second phase of Gaza deal
3 Min Read
Hamas opposes any extension and insists on moving forward with the second phase of the agreement as initially outlined.
-
Israeli captives, from left to right, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem, and Omer Wenkert, show Hamas-issued certificates before being handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 (AP)
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, reaffirmed on Friday its full commitment to implementing all provisions of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, in all its stages and details, as the first phase of the deal comes to an end.
In a statement, the Palestinian group called on the international community to pressure "Israel" to fully adhere to its commitments under the agreement and to immediately proceed with implementing its second phase without any delays or evasions.
Meanwhile, two Egyptian security sources told Reuters that the Israeli delegation in Cairo is attempting to reach an agreement to extend the first phase of the deal for 42 days.
Hamas opposes any extension and insists on moving forward with the second phase of the agreement as initially outlined, the sources indicated. This phase is intended to include steps toward a permanent cessation of the war.
The first phase of the ceasefire is set to conclude on Saturday, and "Israel" and Hamas have yet to clarify what will occur if no new agreement is reached by then. Egypt and Qatar are mediating the negotiations with support from the United States.
Two Israeli government officials told Reuters that "Israel" is seeking to prolong the initial phase, proposing that Hamas release three captives per week in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons.
With just hours remaining before the first phase of the truce is set to expire, mediator Egypt announced on Thursday that Israeli, Qatari, and US delegations were in Cairo for "intensive" negotiations on a second phase aimed at securing a permanent end to the war.
Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday "instructed the negotiation delegation to depart for Cairo," his office said, shortly after Hamas handed over the remains of four captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The early Thursday exchange marked the final prisoner-captive swap under the initial phase of the truce, which began on January 19.
The Israeli prison administration confirmed the release of 643 Palestinian prisoners and detainees following Hamas’ return of the bodies of the four captives.
Among those freed was Nael al-Barghouthi, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner, who spent over four decades in Israeli occupation prisons.
In recent weeks, Hamas released 25 living Israeli and dual-national captives in stages, along with the remains of eight others. In return, "Israel" is expected to release approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Additionally, the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza militants handed over five Thai captives outside the terms of the agreement.
On Thursday, Hamas emphasized that "the road in front of the enemy's false excuses has been blocked, and it now has no choice but to commence the second phase negotiations."
According to Hamas, the Israeli occupation's attempts to backtrack and obstruct the ceasefire deal "will only increase the captives and their families' suffering."
Therefore, the only way to release the captives is through negotiating and committing to the agreement, the statement added.
Read more: Gantz calls for captives' swift return, implementation of first phase
