Hamas declared Wednesday that it would release all the remaining hostages in one swap as part of the second stage of the current peace talks. Group spokesman Hazem Qassem said that the faction wants a permanent truce and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as part of the agreement.
We are prepared for a second phase where the prisoners will be released in one sitting, if it results in an irreversible ceasefire and complete withdrawal from the Strip,” Qassem said.
But Hamas strongly rejected the condition of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the organization be dismantled and expelled from Gaza. Qassem called the demand a “ridiculous psychological war,” insisting that disarmament or withdrawal of Hamas from Gaza was not possible.
Hamas Seeks to Speed Up Negotiations
The faction declared its desire to speed up the second phase of the deal. As a gesture of goodwill, Hamas raised the number of prisoners to be freed in the next planned exchange on Saturday, from three to six.
“Doubling the number of prisoners to be released was made at the request of mediators and to show our seriousness in fulfilling all conditions of the agreement,” Qassem said.
Trump’s Pressure
Hamas’ offer comes after former US President Donald Trump’s threat last week that military action in Gaza would resume if “all hostages” were not released by last Saturday.
Analysts say that following more than a year of Israeli military campaigns, Hamas is making concessions to prevent the return of war while sustaining its role in Gaza. Muhammad Shehada, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that while Hamas is negotiating, it stands firm on not disarming something contrary to Netanyahu’s agenda.
