Jerusalem, Mar 8 (EFE).- Hamas Saturday cited “positive indicators” in the indirect negotiations with Israel to uphold the Gaza ceasefire and move to the second phase of the truce for peace in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave.
“The efforts of Egyptian and Qatari mediators continue to push for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the start of the next phase, and the signs are positive,” Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al Qanou said in a statement.
Qanou insisted that the Palestinian group is ready to begin negotiations for the second phase, which was supposed to start on Mar. 1.
According to what was agreed with Israel in January, the second phase must ensure the total withdrawal of the Israeli Army from the enclave in exchange for the release of the remaining living hostages in Gaza.
“The delegation of leaders from the movement (Hamas), which has been in Cairo since yesterday, is discussing ways to initiate the negotiations for the second phase and compel the occupation (Israel) to attend,” the spokesperson said.
The Islamist group has been insisting for a week on its commitment to move to the second phase of the ceasefire amid an apparent stalemate in indirect talks with Israel.
The Israeli government has sought a new agreement to extend the truce during Ramadan in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, without withdrawing its troops from the enclave.
Israel has already halted humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, a move Hamas denounced as “cheap blackmail.”
The group warned that the blockade’s consequences affect not only civilians but also Israeli hostages still held in the enclave.
In the first phase of the ceasefire, which ended on Mar. 1 after 42 days, 33 hostages were released (8 of whom were dead) in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Hamas still hold 59 captives, of which the army estimates 35 are dead.
The Palestinian group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and capturing 251.
Israel responded with the invasion of the Gaza Strip, in which it has killed more than 48,000 people and destroyed most of the Palestinian enclave. EFE
jdg-sk
