As Witkoff expected in region, Hamas affirms ‘full flexibility’ to move to second phase of ceasefire

CAIRO – 9 March 2025: Hamas has expressed its “full flexibility” to engage in Gaza ceasefire discussions for transition to the next phase of the agreement as US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to travel to Doha this week to advance the negotiations.

Taher Al-Nunu, media advisor to Hamas' political bureau, stated, "We are fully flexible in reaching the second phase of the Gaza agreement without compromising any of its terms," reported Al Qahera News.

Nunu emphasized the movement’s appreciation for any efforts aimed at preventing Tel Aviv’s schemes to sabotage the ceasefire agreement, warning of the impacts of Israeli government’s actions on the region.

“If [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his fellows are allowed to act unchecked, they will destroy the entire region,” Nunu said. “It is essential to compel him to proceed with the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza agreement.”

Israel is also set to send a delegation to the Qatari capital on Monday to engage in the talks regarding Gaza ceasefire, according to an announcement by Netanyahu's office today.

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.

The negotiations continue while Israel has halted 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.

SECOND PHASE

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.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed that Egypt is coordinating with partners in Europe and the United States to bring an end to the war in Gaza as he visited the Egyptian Military Academy on Friday#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps://t.co/QvEUUsnDKB

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025

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.

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 had been in Cairo since Friday to explore ways to commence the second phase of negotiations and ensure Israeli compliance with the agreement.