 "Fearing resumption of war, Hamas proposes releasing all remaining hostages in ‘one go’")
Palestinian militant group Hamas proposed Wednesday (February 19) to release all remaining hostages in “one go” under the second phase of the peace deal. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in a statement said they were hoping for a permanent ceasefire and lasting peace.
“We are ready for a second phase in which the prisoners will be exchanged in one go, within the criterion of reaching an agreement that leads to a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Strip,” said Qassem.
However, the group rejected Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand that Hamas be disbanded and removed from the Gaza Strip.
“The occupation’s condition of removing Hamas from the Gaza Strip is a ridiculous psychological war, and the withdrawal or disarmament of the resistance from Gaza is unacceptable,” Qassem stated.
‘Hamas bids to accelerate phase two talks’
The spokesman stated that Hamas wants to accelerate the implementation of the phase two of the deal. To signal its willingness, it also decided to increase the number of captives to be freed during the next swap on Saturday from three to six, he stated.
“Doubling the number of prisoners to be released was done in response to a request from the mediators and to prove our seriousness in implementing all the terms of the agreement,” Qassem said in Wednesday’s statement.
Trump’s ‘All hostages’ remark
Hamas’ proposal comes after Trump last week threatened to resume the war in Gaza if “all hostages” were not released by past Saturday.
According to experts, Hamas is offering these concessions to not let the war resume at any cost.
Muhammad Shehada, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, was quoted by AFP as saying that after more than a year of devastating Israeli assault in Gaza, “Hamas wants to prevent the war resuming at any cost”, albeit with some “red lines”.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“And one of those red lines is that they should continue to exist, basically, whereas (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s position is that they should dismantle themselves,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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