Hamas announced on Thursday its commitment to maintaining the cease-fire agreement with Israel, which includes the potential release of additional hostages this weekend. This development indicates a possible diplomatic advancement amid concerns regarding the stability of the ongoing truce.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, along with the United States, are reportedly working to address obstacles and facilitate discussions following what Hamas described as “positive” talks with senior officials. The cease-fire, which began with a six-week truce in late January, has been a focal point of these negotiations.
There has been no immediate response from Israel regarding Hamas’s statement. Hamas has previously indicated that the continuation of hostage releases is contingent upon Israel fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.
Basem Naim, a spokesperson for Hamas, expressed optimism that the hostage releases would proceed on Saturday but refrained from providing further details or confirming the plan definitively.
The cease-fire agreement, established in late January, involved Hamas agreeing to release at least 33 hostages in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinians held by Israel. However, recent days have seen rising fears among regional officials about potential violations of the cease-fire by both parties.
Even if current issues are resolved, the future of the cease-fire remains uncertain, as Israel and Hamas have yet to negotiate terms for extending the agreement beyond the initial six-week period.
Earlier this week, Hamas accused Israel of not adhering to the terms of the deal, particularly regarding the insufficient provision of aid to Gaza, leading to a suspension of further hostage releases. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that if hostages were not released by Saturday afternoon, Israel would resume military operations against Hamas.
President Trump further complicated the situation by demanding the release of all remaining hostages by Saturday, warning of severe consequences otherwise. This statement appeared to contradict the cease-fire agreement, which was facilitated by his own representatives and called for a gradual release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator, recently visited Egypt to engage in discussions aimed at resolving the current stalemate. The talks reportedly focused on the entry of construction materials and humanitarian aid into Gaza, as outlined in the cease-fire terms.
While the United Nations and other aid organizations have reported an increase in overall aid, Hamas claims that the amount of tents and prefabricated shelters permitted into Gaza is inadequate.
Omer Dostri, a spokesperson for Netanyahu, confirmed that Israel is not allowing prefabricated homes or heavy machinery into Gaza, without providing a rationale or indicating whether this policy might change. Israel has previously restricted certain materials, citing concerns that they could be used for military purposes by Hamas.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the cease-fire remains intact, with some humanitarian aid continuing to enter Gaza. The United Nations reported that 801 trucks of aid arrived in Gaza on Wednesday, aiming to maximize assistance during the cease-fire.
However, the emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza warned that the pace of humanitarian deliveries is insufficient, stating that basic necessities are still lacking for many residents.
Trump's recent comments regarding the future of Gaza have sparked controversy, with suggestions that the U.S. should take control of the region and prevent displaced Palestinians from returning. This proposal has been met with widespread condemnation from Palestinians, other Arab nations, and experts, who view it as a form of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
In response to these developments, Hamas has called for mass protests across the Middle East and in Muslim communities globally to oppose any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.