Egypt Daily News – Today Friday, Hamas urged the international community to pressure Israel into the “immediate entry into the second phase” of the truce agreement, as the first phase nears its conclusion on Saturday.
In a statement, Hamas reaffirmed its full commitment to implementing all provisions of the agreement at every stage and in detail. The group called on the international community to press Israel to “fully comply” with its role in the agreement and to “immediately enter the second phase without hesitation or maneuvering,” according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The second phase of the ceasefire agreement is expected to include a “definitive end” to the war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to extend negotiations with Hamas and sent a delegation to Cairo yesterday. However, there has been no indication that the delegation is discussing the second phase of the declared truce between the two parties.
Netanyahu continues to avoid entering the second phase, which is supposed to address a permanent cessation of the war, the future of Gaza, and the release of Israeli military captives held by Hamas. Meanwhile, the movement has expressed openness to initiating negotiations.
According to senior Hamas sources cited by Asharq Al-Awsat, the criteria for releasing Israeli detainees in the second phase—or even if the first phase is extended—will be “different” from those applied previously. The sources stated that the price Israel must pay should be proportionate to the remaining “military” captives held by Palestinian factions.
