Hamas reports ‘positive indications' in ceasefire talks amid Israeli Gaza aid blockade
CAIRO – 8 March 2025: Hamas announced on Saturday that there are "positive indications" regarding the negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas's statements come as Israel continues to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2, the day after the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, expired.
The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, halted a war that has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. It also allowed for the release of 38 captives held by Hamas, including 30 living individuals, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
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Israeli captive soldier Matan Angrest sent a message of distress in a few-minute new video released by Hamas on Friday. He urged his government to advance the ceasefire and captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas, stating that he and his fellow… — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025
Under the ceasefire, thousands of humanitarian aid trucks have entered Gaza to address severe levels of hunger and food insecurity faced by the 2.3 million people in the enclave in the wake of the war.
A Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo to discuss the continuation of the agreement.
Hamas, which still holds 59 captives, seeks to transition to the second phase of the agreement, which includes the release of all captives in exchange for an end to the war.
Hamas stated it is prepared to release all captives at once if the second phase is initiated, which also entails the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, paving the way for a major reconstruction process.
However, Israel aims to extend the expired first phase to facilitate the release of more captives without the obligation to end the war.
Israel's aid blockade is intended to pressure Hamas into accepting the ceasefire extension, a proposal that the movement has rejected and described as an attempt to evade the continuation of the agreement.
Yemeni Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi announced on Friday that his group will resume naval operations against Israel if Tel Aviv does not lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza within four days#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps://t.co/4tcqaQLCL9 — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025
Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou stated in press remarks today that efforts by Egyptian and Qatari mediators are ongoing to finalize the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and initiate discussions for the second phase.
He affirmed Hamas's commitment to engaging in negotiations that meet the demands of the Palestinian people and called for increased humanitarian efforts in Gaza along with the lifting of the blockade.
Additionally, Al-Qanou noted that a delegation from the Hamas leadership has been in Cairo since Friday to explore ways to commence the second phase of negotiations and ensure Israeli compliance with the agreement.
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