Hamas 'insists' on full implementation of first phase of Gaza ceasefire

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. 

In a statement on Saturday, Hamas said the truce “is holding, and the withdrawals of the occupation army are continuing according to the agreement.”

“We insist on completing the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement,” the statement read.

Hamas said it is working to remove any pretexts that could allow the Israeli regime to violate the ceasefire’s terms. It also said efforts are underway with mediators to locate the bodies of Israeli captives held in Gaza and to advance the prisoner exchange process.

“We continue our contacts with mediators regarding the prisoner file in an effort to achieve a breakthrough,” it added.

In a separate statement, Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq reiterated the resistance group’s “firm commitment to dedicating all our capabilities and efforts to serving our people and providing them with relief in the Gaza Strip.”

This, he said, will be done “despite the massive destruction left by the war and the lack of all basic necessities for normal life in the Strip.”

A multi-stage roadmap for the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel was finalized on Thursday. Both sides confirmed that the ceasefire went into effect on Friday.

The first phase of the deal, proposed by US President Donald Trump, is expected to see the release of all 20 living Israeli captives and the beginning of the handover of deceased captives, in exchange for around 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

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Increased amounts of humanitarian aid are also expected to enter the strip. As of Friday, about 600 aid trucks were scheduled to cross into Gaza daily.

If completed, the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan will be followed by negotiations on the details of the subsequent phases.

According to al-Rishq, Hamas’s leadership continues its efforts to communicate with various "friendly countries and parties to ensure the entry of aid and relief into the Gaza Strip."

He said they will also work “to follow up on obligating the occupation to implement all terms of the agreement to ensure recovery, reconstruction, and the return of a dignified life to all members of our great Palestinian people.”

Hamas also said it hopes that the upcoming conference in Sharm el-Sheikh “will confirm the end of the war and provide guarantees against the resumption of aggression.”

The summit, organized by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is expected to be held next week in the Egyptian resort city.

It is likely to be attended by President Trump, as well as leaders and foreign ministers from Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is not expected to attend.

World leaders attending the conference are expected to ensure that Israel fully abides by the ceasefire agreement, as Netanyahu’s regime has repeatedly violated previous truces — including one brokered by Egypt and Qatar earlier this year that collapsed when Israeli forces resumed attacks on Gaza.

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