Hamas confirms ongoing talks for second phase of prisoner exchange deal

Hamas announced on February 15 that negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Israel are actively progressing.

A spokesman for Hamas revealed that the organization expects Israel to adhere to the "humanitarian protocol" outlined in the agreement, which is based on the commitments and guarantees provided by the mediators, Caliber.Az reports referring to Israeli media.

The spokesperson highlighted that the resumption of the hostage and Palestinian prisoner exchange is in line with Hamas’ obligations to the mediators after receiving guarantees that Israel will honour the terms of the deal.

The spokesperson further emphasized that Israel will be "obliged" to release the remaining prisoners as part of the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. The negotiations for the second phase of the deal, which involves the release of additional prisoners, are ongoing and a key focus for Hamas, according to the statement.

The Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel began on January 19, 2025. Under the deal, Israel opened the Netzarim corridor on January 27, allowing displaced individuals to travel from the southern parts of Gaza to the northern regions. The Rafah crossing, located at the Gaza-Egypt border, was also opened on February 1, providing a route for the evacuation of the sick and wounded after eight months of occupation. These steps were significant components of the humanitarian aspect of the deal, aimed at easing the dire conditions in Gaza.

In the first five rounds of exchanges, a total of 766 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails were released, while Hamas freed 21 hostages in Gaza, including 16 Israeli citizens and 5 Thai nationals. On February 15, the sixth round of exchanges took place, resulting in the release of three Israeli citizens and 369 Palestinian prisoners.

The agreement between Israel and Hamas is being carried out in three phases. The first phase, which spans 42 days, is expected to involve the release of over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and 33 Israeli hostages. The second and third phases will build on these exchanges, continuing the process of returning hostages and prisoners.

The ongoing war, which erupted on October 7, 2023, began when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, the Israeli offensive on Gaza has claimed the lives of over 48,230 people, as reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Currently, 73 hostages taken during the October attack remain in Gaza, along with three other Israeli captives who have been held for more than a decade, one of whom has already died.

By Tamilla Hasanova