Hamas leader and the head of the negotiating delegation, Khalil Al-Hayya, assured that the movement is serious about implementing the decisions of the truce with Israel, even while the Israeli government continues to evade its obligations.
In statements published by the Hamas channel on Telegram, Hayya added that the movement is working tirelessly with mediators, especially Egypt and Qatar, to ensure aid and treatment are provided to the people of Gaza.
The bodies of several Israel prisoners will be handed over on Wednesday, and six living hostages will be released on Saturday, he added.
Hayya called on ensuring that Israel implements all the terms of the agreement, and for allowing the entry of heavy machinery to retrieve the bodies of Palestinians and Israeli hostages who were killed by Israel’s strikes.
Hamas is ready to engage in negotiations to complete the terms of the second phase, which includes a complete ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israel’s forces from Gaza, and the timely completion of a prisoner exchange deal.
Netanyahu halts ceasefire progress
Israeli media reported that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to obstruct the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and the release of prisoners.
An expert in Israeli affairs and regional/international conflicts, Ali al-Awar said that there is a schism within the Israeli government, as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the Prime Minister compete to determine the future of the government and complete the second phase of negotiations.
Awar also noted the pressures that Netanyahu is facing from the US administration, especially from the US President’s representative to the Middle East, who is demanding the necessity of starting the second phase of negotiations.
He added that Israel’s position is for Netanyahu to buy time, as he may seek to postpone the negotiations or reach a new military escalation in Gaza.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the formation of a special Israeli body to “help the residents of Gaza Strip emigrate voluntarily,” coinciding with Netanyahu’s announcement of his commitment to the US President’s plan to rebuild Gaza, adding that Israel demands that the Gaza Strip be completely demilitarized.
Israeli media sources reported that the former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Israeli army sent a letter to the Israeli government on behalf of more than 550 former officers, expressing their rejection to resuming the war in Gaza.
In addition, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday the postponement of the emergency Arab summit on developments in Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories, indicating that Egypt will host it on March 4.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
