The spokesperson for the Palestinian Resistance Movement (Hamas), Hazem Qassem, announced that the group is prepared to release all remaining Israeli hostages in a single exchange, as part of a second phase of negotiations. This would be contingent on a lasting truce and the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the besieged Gaza Strip.

“We are ready for a second phase in which the prisoners will be exchanged all at once, within the framework of reaching an agreement that leads to a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal from Gaza,” Qassem stated in the communiqué.

Regarding Israel’s conditions in the ongoing prisoner exchange negotiations, Hamas dismissed the demand to expel the group from Gaza, calling it a “ridiculous psychological war.”

Qassem further emphasized that the withdrawal or disarmament of the Palestinian resistance is “unacceptable,” stating that any agreement concerning Gaza’s future must be based on national consensus.

The move to accelerate the second phase of the agreement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s opposition to the weekly gradual release of hostages taken from Israel. Additionally, families of the captives still in Gaza have demanded that all hostages be freed together.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, confirmed that Doha remains committed to facilitating negotiations and hopes the talks will lead to the full implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Since the agreement was signed, a total of 1,135 Palestinian detainees have been released from Israeli prisons. Israel plans to release an additional 502 Palestinians throughout the week.

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