US envoy open to talks but focused solely on prisoner exchange: Hamas
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The United States is holding talks to get two US captives held in Gaza released swiftly as the Israeli occupation obstructs the prisoner swap.
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Freed Palestinian detainees are greeted after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli occupation, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Thursday, February 27, 2025. (AP)
A senior Hamas official told Al Mayadeen that the recent meeting between a US envoy and Hamas representatives left the American side with a "positive impression" regarding the possibility of negotiations with the group.
However, the official noted that the US envoy focused solely on a potential prisoner exchange and did not address broader issues such as a ceasefire or an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
"The American side did not present a specific framework for a prisoner swap but listened to Hamas's perspective on the matter," the official said.
The Palestinian Resistance leader also revealed that the meeting took place at the request of the US and caught Israeli officials by surprise.
Hamas urges pressure on 'Israel'
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.
'Israel' seeks to prolong first phase
The first phase of the ceasefire concluded on Saturday, and "Israel" and Hamas did not clarify what will occur if no new agreement is reached. 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.
