Hamas ready to move to phase 2 of Gaza ceasefire agreement

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Hamas declared on Saturday its readiness to move to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, reiterating that the completion of prisoner-hostage exchanges depends on Israel’s full adherence to the terms of the deal, particularly regarding the humanitarian situation in the enclave.

Six Israeli captives are being released in Gaza on Saturday in exchange for 602 Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

In a statement, Hamas stressed that the exchange of the six Israeli captives demonstrated its commitment to the terms of the agreement that took effect on Jan. 19, while Israel's continued "delaying tactics" were hindering the process.

Hamas warned Israel that they face a stark choice: "Either they receive their prisoners in coffins, as occurred on Thursday due to Netanyahu's arrogance, or they embrace them alive, adhering to the conditions set by the resistance."

The Palestinian group said “Netanyahu’s attempts to distract from his military's defeat in Gaza by committing massacres in the occupied West Bank will not break the will of our people or their resistance.”

For nearly two months, Israeli forces have been conducting military operations in northern West Bank refugee camps, particularly in Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas.

Earlier, Hamas’ spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou said in a statement that “the completion of the upcoming prisoner exchanges relies on the occupation’s commitment to the remaining clauses of the agreement and its implementation of the humanitarian protocol.”

The spokesman criticized Israel for “failing to fully execute the terms of the ceasefire agreement, even after 33 days into the first phase.”

He called on international mediators to “exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations,” ensuring that “vital supplies for shelter and aid reach the Palestinian people.”

Hamas reiterated its “readiness to proceed with a large and comprehensive prisoner exchange, encompassing a definitive end to the war, the withdrawal of the occupying forces, and the rebuilding of Gaza.”

The three-phase truce took effect last month, halting Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed more than 48,000 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

As many as 33 hostages are to be released in the first phase, which lasts 42 days. In the second stage of the deal, Hamas is supposed to release the remaining hostages, in exchange for hundreds more prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to the fighting.