Hamas has stated that it is dedicated to executing the Gaza truce agreement with Israel and will continue releasing hostages as planned, bolstering hopes that the war can be avoided.
Following discussions in Cairo, the Palestinian armed group announced that mediators from Egypt and Qatar had agreed to “remove obstacles.” According to reports from Egypt and Qatar, gaps have been filled.
An Israeli government spokeswoman would not comment on the reports but did stress that if Hamas did not release three living prisoners on Saturday, the ceasefire would be terminated.
Israel’s prime minister issued a similar ultimatum on Tuesday, after Hamas said that it was suspending releases due to what it alleged were Israeli transgressions.
Hamas claimed that Israel had refused to allow in the agreed-upon amounts of necessary humanitarian aid, such as tents and shelters.
The group’s threat to sabotage the accord prompted US President Donald Trump to advise that Israel abandon the pact completely and “let hell break loose” unless “all of the hostages” were returned by Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s stance but warned, “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon [10:00 GMT], the ceasefire will end, and the [Israeli military] will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas.”
However, Israeli officials sent inconsistent messages about whether he was demanding the release of all 76 hostages left in Gaza, as per Trump’s ultimatum, or only the three scheduled to be released this weekend.
Speaking on Wednesday, an Egyptian security source told the BBC that Egypt and Qatar were “intensifying their diplomatic efforts in an attempt to salvage the ceasefire agreement,” as Hamas’s leader for Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo to hold talks with Egypt’s intelligence chief and other officials.
Following the conclusion of the discussions on Thursday morning, Hamas issued a statement emphasizing the need of fulfilling the terms of the agreement, including supply of caravans, tents, heavy construction equipment, medical supplies, and fuel.
It went on to say that the negotiations were “positive” and that the mediators had agreed to cooperate to “remove obstacles and close gaps.”
“Accordingly, Hamas reaffirms its commitment to implementing the agreement as signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timeline.”
At the same time, Egyptian state-run television station Al Qahera stated that Egypt and Qatar had “overcome obstacles” and that Israel and Hamas were determined to fully execute the cease-fire agreement.
Al Jazeera TV, located in Qatar, also reported that the discussions were successful and that mobile homes and heavy gear will be permitted into Gaza starting Thursday.
However, Israeli media described the Israeli prime minister’s office as labeling the Al Jazeera claim “fake news” with “no basis.”.
The prime minister’s spokesman, Omer Dostri, later corrected the denial, saying on X, “There is no entry of caravans or heavy equipment into the Gaza Strip, and there is no coordination for this.”
Commenting on Hamas’ statement at a later media briefing, another Israeli government spokesman said Israel’s position on the ceasefire agreement was “crystal clear.”.
“There is a framework in place for the release of our hostages,” David Mencer said. “That framework makes clear that three live hostages must be released by Hamas terrorists on Saturday.”
“If those three are not released, if Hamas does not return our hostages, by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end.”
Palestinians in Gaza expressed concern about the potential of fighting again after 16 months of devastation.
“When the truce was announced, we felt immense joy. However, with the announcement of a new crisis, fear returned [and] traders began raising commodity prices,” Mouti al-Qedra told BBC Arabic’s Gaza Lifeline program.
“I pray to God constantly for lasting peace, especially after the martyrdom of 65 members of the al-Qedra family. Now, we are relieved that the crisis has been resolved, hoping no more martyrs will fall.”
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement is expected to last six weeks, with 33 Israeli hostages exchanged for around 1,900 Palestinian inmates and detainees in Gaza.
So far, 16 living Israeli hostages have been released since the truce went into force on January 19. In addition, Hamas handed up five Thai hostages in violation of the agreement.
The remaining 17 Israeli hostages scheduled to be released during the first phase include two youngsters, one lady, five males over the age of 50, and nine men under the age of 50. They are supposed to be handed over in the next three weeks. Both sides claim eight of these hostages have died, but only one has been identified.
The agreement has also resulted in Israeli forces withdrawing from heavily populated regions of Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians returning to their homes in the north, and hundreds of aid trucks entering the territory every day.
The Israeli military initiated a campaign to eradicate Hamas in reaction to an extraordinary cross-border raid on October 7, 2023, that killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 more.
More than 48,230 people have died in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
