Hamas offers to release all hostages if Israel fully withdraws from Gaza

Photo: AFP

Hamas has announced that it is ready to release all the remaining Israeli hostages at once in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This would happen during the second phase of the Gaza truce, which Hamas sees as a step toward a "permanent ceasefire" and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

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The group is holding onto its key demands, even as Israel’s security cabinet has made it clear that its goal is to remove Hamas from power in Gaza. Many countries, including the United States, consider Hamas a terrorist organization. Israel wants to eliminate Hamas as both a ruling authority and a military force in Gaza.

Hazem Qasim, a Hamas spokesperson, said on Telegram that the group will not agree to be forced out of Gaza or to give up its weapons. He added that any future decisions about Gaza should be made based on national agreement.

Qasim dismissed Israel’s goal of removing Hamas as nothing more than psychological warfare. On Monday, he also said that Hamas is willing to step down from governing Gaza, but only if it benefits the people living there.

In a separate move, Hamas has decided to release six hostages on Saturday, earlier than planned. Originally, these hostages were supposed to be freed over the next two weeks. Qasim explained that this decision was made after discussions with mediators.

Israel and Hamas had agreed to a temporary pause in fighting in January after months of negotiations led by the United States, with Qatar and Egypt acting as mediators. This ceasefire is set to end in early March.

Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed that new talks will begin soon to try to extend the ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.