Palestinian militant group Hamas spokesman Taher Al-Nono said on Wednesday that Hamas is ready to release all remaining hostages during the second phase of the ceasefire. LeMonde reports.
Al-Nono did not specify how many hostages are being held in the Gaza Strip. During the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, 251 people were kidnapped. 70 hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead, are being held in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli military sources.
Under the first phase of the ceasefire, which was scheduled to end on March 2, 19 Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for 1,100 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
The terms of the second phase of the ceasefire, which aims to end the war and release all hostages, are expected to be defined on March 2. If all goes according to plan, the third and final phase will also focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Tuesday that Israel will begin indirect negotiations with Hamas for the second phase of the ceasefire this week, also demanding the complete demilitarization of the enclave.
