Hamas urges mediators to put pressure on Israel to enter 2nd phase immediately amid ongoing talks in Cairo

By Nour Abuaisha and Ikram Kouachi

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Hamas reaffirmed on Friday its commitment to implementing all terms of the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement as the first phase comes to an end on Saturday evening, urging mediators to put pressure on Israel to enter the second phase immediately.

"As the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement comes to an end, Hamas reaffirms its full commitment to implementing all terms of the deal in all its stages," the Palestinian resistance group said in a statement.

Hamas also called on the international community to push Israel to uphold its obligations under the agreement and to enter the second phase "without hesitation or stalling."

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement is set to expire on Saturday evening.

Negotiations for the second phase were scheduled to begin on Feb. 3, the 16th day of the agreement's first phase. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended the current phase to secure the release of more Israeli captives in Gaza.

On Thursday, Egypt's State Information Service announced the start of intensive negotiations in Cairo involving parties to the ceasefire agreement. The talks aim to finalize the next phases of the deal.

"Delegations from Israel and Qatar have arrived in Cairo to continue negotiations on the ceasefire in Gaza, with the participation of US representatives," the Egyptian statement said, adding that "intensive discussions are underway to ensure the implementation of agreed-upon understandings."

Meanwhile, Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported that the US and Israel were in discussions about extending the first phase of the deal for several more weeks.

Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Thursday that Israel had asked mediators to increase the number of hostages released in each stage as a condition for extending the first phase. In return, Israel would continue releasing Palestinian prisoners, maintaining the ceasefire, and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, including mobile housing units.

A ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement has been in place since last month, pausing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza that has killed more than 48,360 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.