Palestinian factions commit to 1st phase of Gaza ceasefire, paving the way for permanent truce

CAIRO - 28 October 2025: Palestinian factions have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the success of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which includes handing over the remaining bodies of Israeli prisoners.

This step is seen as crucial to advancing toward the second phase of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement — aimed at achieving a permanent end to the war and beginning the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Khalil al-Hayya, head of the Hamas negotiating delegation, confirmed that the movement remains serious about implementing the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement and will not provide Israel with any pretext to resume its aggression against Gaza. He stressed that Hamas is exerting all efforts to recover and hand over the remaining bodies of Israeli prisoners.

According to Hamas, the delay in delivering the bodies stems from the movement’s lack of information about their burial sites, as several Qassam Brigade fighters who had been holding some of the prisoners were martyred. This has made locating the remaining bodies extremely difficult.

The Sharm el-Sheikh agreement marked a critical turning point, halting bloodshed in Gaza after extensive mediation by Egyptian political leadership and state institutions to bring Hamas and Israel to the negotiating table. The deal included a prisoner exchange and a temporary ceasefire, with discussions expected to follow on the second phase — addressing Gaza’s governance, the disarmament of Hamas, and the opening of border crossings to facilitate greater humanitarian aid.

During a meeting in Cairo last Friday, Palestinian factions reached consensus on several key points concerning Gaza’s administration and consolidation of the truce, most notably the transfer of governance to an interim Palestinian committee.

The factions underscored the need for a unified national stance and a collective political vision grounded in unity of purpose and resistance to all forms of annexation and displacement in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.

They also condemned the Israeli parliament’s preliminary approval of the “Israeli Sovereignty over the West Bank” law, describing it as a grave assault on Palestinian identity and existence. The factions further welcomed international opposition to this move, calling for continued diplomatic efforts to block it.

Reaffirming their position, the Palestinian factions emphasized that national unity remains the strongest and most effective response to Israeli policies, urging all parties to take concrete steps toward achieving it.