On Wednesday, February 19, Hamas indicated its willingness to release all remaining hostages in Gaza in a single exchange during the second phase of the ongoing ceasefire.
Currently, Israel and Hamas are implementing the first phase of the truce, which began on January 19 and has largely held despite accusations of violations from both sides.
Israeli Foreign Minister announced on Tuesday that discussions for the next phase of the agreement—which could lead to a more permanent end to hostilities—will begin this week.
Hamas’ Proposal for Phase Two
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu stated:
“We have informed the mediators that Hamas is ready to release all hostages in one batch during the second phase of the agreement, rather than in stages as in the current first phase.”
However, he did not specify the exact number of hostages still held by Hamas or other armed groups.
Nunu emphasized that this move aims to:
- Demonstrate Hamas’ commitment to a long-term resolution.
- Strengthen steps toward a lasting ceasefire.
Progress in Phase One
So far:
- 19 Israeli hostages have been released.
- More than 1,100 Palestinian prisoners have been freed.
- Six remaining hostages eligible under phase one will be released this weekend.
- Hamas also agreed to return the bodies of eight deceased hostages over the next two weeks.
After phase one concludes, 58 hostages will still remain in Gaza.
Pressure and Political Implications
- Muhammad Shehada (European Council on Foreign Relations) suggests that Hamas seeks a permanent ceasefire but is determined to preserve its existence, while Netanyahu insists on dismantling Hamas entirely.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit reinforced Washington’s alignment with Netanyahu, increasing Israeli leverage in negotiations.
Humanitarian and Political Fallout
- Hamas and allied groups initially took 251 hostages during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
- 1,211 people were killed in that attack, mostly civilians.
- Israel’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in 48,297 deaths in Gaza, based on Gaza health ministry figures deemed reliable by the United Nations.
Israeli Soldiers Charged
Meanwhile, five Israeli reservist soldiers have been charged with abuse and severe injury against a Palestinian detainee in July 2023. The charges include:
- Severe physical violence, including stabbing the detainee with a sharp object.
- Causing cracked ribs and a punctured lung.
The alleged incident took place at Sde Teiman detention facility, established to hold Palestinian detainees during the war.
As negotiations continue, the focus remains on whether Hamas’ one-time release proposal will advance peace talks or face obstacles due to political pressures on both sides.
