Mediators continue efforts to compel Israel to negotiate 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire: Hamas

By Mohammad Majid and Ahmed Asmar

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – Gaza ceasefire mediators continue their efforts to oblige Israel to enter talks for a second phase of the deal, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas said on Thursday.

"The mediators (Egypt, Qatar, and the US) continue their contacts to ensure the implementation of the remaining phases of the ceasefire agreement and oblige the occupation to begin negotiations for the second stage of the deal,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.

"Hamas reiterates its commitment to all phases of the agreement, and hopes that the mediators' contacts will lead to the implementation of all phases of the deal by the Israeli occupation," he added.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump threatened Hamas with “severe consequences” if the group failed to release Israeli captives and the bodies of dead hostages.

The three-phase ceasefire agreement includes prisoner swaps under which all Israeli captives – alive and dead – will be returned in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

So far, 25 Israeli hostages and eight bodies have been released in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, refused to enter negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Instead, he wants to extend the first six-week phase of the deal.

The Israeli government halted the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza on Sunday, shortly after the first phase of the ceasefire deal ended.

Hamas has refused to proceed under these conditions, insisting that Israel abide by the terms of the ceasefire and immediately start negotiations for the second phase, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for 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.