Hamas Proposes Full Hostage Release

Rabat– Hamas has said it is ready to release all its remaining hostages in a single exchange if the ceasefire agreement with Israel moves forward to a second phase next month.

Hazem Qassem, the spokesperson for Hamas, stated on Saturday morning that negotiations for the second phase have not yet begun and that communications with mediators are ongoing.

Hamas also noted that Israeli authorities have not delivered the list of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for release today, emphasizing its commitment to the ceasefire agreement as long as Israel adheres to it.

Hamas reiterated its readiness to complete a comprehensive prisoner exchange in a single deal, based on a final cessation of the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

The Palestinian group stressed that ensuring future exchanges depends on Israel’s commitment to the remaining terms of the agreement and the implementation of the humanitarian protocol.

Hamas added, “It has been 33 days since the first phase began, yet the occupation has not fully implemented all of its provisions.” It further described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic,” calling on mediators to pressure Israel into implementing the humanitarian protocol.

Additionally, Hamas stated that “the occupation’s prevention of the deported prisoners’ families from traveling reveals its violation of agreements and its defeat in the face of our people’s will and resistance.”

The offer came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled his willingness to discuss a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire after a prolonged delay.

Hamas announced that the resistance had successfully completed the exchange of six prisoners today, stating that this confirms its commitment to the agreement while accusing Israel of continuing to stall its implementation.

Additionally, four more bodies are set to be transferred next Thursday, which will mark the completion of the first six-week phase of the ceasefire, scheduled to end on March 1.

This will leave 58 hostages still held by Hamas and allied militant groups in Gaza. Israel believes that 34 of them are dead.

Hamas also asserted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to “escape his army’s defeat in Gaza” by committing massacres in the West Bank “will not break our people’s will or resistance.”