Hamas is prepared to release all the hostages left in Gaza in a single exchange during the second phase of the cease-fire deal, a senior terror official said.
Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nunu suggested the terror group could free the 59 hostages remaining in Gaza at once come the start of phase two next month, which would include Israeli-American Edan Alexander, 20.
“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,” Nunu told the AFP.
Phase one of the cease-fire is set to end on March 1 after the release of 33 hostages; the last of those hostages are set to go free on Saturday.
Phase two is supposed to be under negotiation and include a permanent cease-fire and freeing all remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, as outlined in the agreement.
Nunu, however, did not clarify if Hamas was preparing to free all the living hostages, as well as the bodies of the dead captives, who are slated to be transferred during the third phase of the deal.
If Hamas only sticks to only handing over living hostages, the second phase would see just 24 captives freed at once; Israeli officials have confirmed that at least 35 of the hostages are dead.
Like with previous exchanges, Israel would agree to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages.
Phase two of the deal has remained a main point of contention for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who maintains that the war cannot end until Hamas is completely eradicated.
The terror group continues to serve as the de-facto rulers of Gaza, which they have governed since 2007 after ousting the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Hamas has reportedly agreed to give back control of the enclave to the PA, which would oversee the reconstruction of Gaza with an international board during phase three, a proposal Israel has rejected.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu said he does not support the PA’s return to Gaza, and that Israel is backing President Trump’s controversial proposal to permanently evacuate the enclave’s more than 2 million residents.
With Post wires
