Hamas offers to free all hostages for Israel’s Gaza withdrawal

Hamas has said it’s ready to exchange its remaining Israeli hostages all at once with Palestinian prisoners during the Gaza truce’s second phase as a step leading to a “permanent ceasefire” and the full withdrawal of Israel’s forces from the enclave.

The militant group is attempting to hold onto its two longstanding demands as Israel’s security cabinet has a stated war goal of removing Hamas, designated a terrorist group by the US and many other countries, as a governing and military force in Gaza.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasim said on Telegram that the group refuses to be either expelled from the Gaza Strip or disarmed, adding that any arrangements for the future of Gaza will be based on national consensus.

Israel’s objective to expel Hamas from Gaza is a “silly psychological warfare,” he said. On Monday, Qasim said the group is ready to cede power in the war-ravaged territory if the move serves the interests of Gazans.

Hamas said it would free six hostages on Saturday rather than over the coming two weeks, as originally planned. The decision was made in response to the mediators, Qasim said.

Israel and Hamas agreed to pause hostilities in January after months of talks overseen by the US and brokered by Qatar and Egypt. The current ceasefire framework expires in early March.

Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar said discussions to extend the initial six-week truce and secure the rest of the hostages held by Hamas will start in coming days.