Hamas says it has not received proposals for second phase of Israel talks

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has stated that it has not received any proposals regarding the second phase of negotiations with Israel.

"The movement has not been presented with any proposals for the second phase, despite our readiness for it and our desire to complete all stages of the agreement," the statement reads, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

To recap, Hamas will transfer the bodies of four Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners not released over the weekend. Both sides confirmed the deal.

Under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israel was supposed to release 602 Palestinians on Saturday, February 22, in return for the release of six Israeli hostages by Hamas. However, Israel withheld the release, citing Hamas' "propaganda ceremonies" that allegedly demeaned the hostages. This threatened to derail the entire agreement.

A new exchange deal, mediated by Egypt, has been reached. Palestinian prisoners will be freed alongside the bodies of the Israeli hostages, along with an equivalent number of Palestinian women and children detained after Hamas' attack on southern Israel in October 2023.

An Israeli official confirmed the exchange would take place on the evening of February 26, though other reports suggest it may happen on February 27. The Times of Israel reports that 63 hostages remain in Gaza, 36 of whom are confirmed dead.

Hamas previously agreed to release 25 Israeli hostages and eight bodies in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. So far, Hamas has freed 20 Israelis and handed over four bodies. The first phase of the deal is expected to conclude on March 2, with the possibility of an extension.

Discussions for the second phase will begin on February 26, with US Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, stating that if talks in Qatar or Egypt are successful, he could join them by March 2.

By Aghakazim Guliyev