Hamas has expressed readiness for a second phase of the ceasefire agreement

^{Photo: CNN}
The leadership of the Palestinian Hamas movement has told mediators that it is ready to begin discussing the details of the second phase of the ceasefire.

Hamas informed mediators last week during ongoing talks and meetings with the Egyptian side in Cairo that it is ready to begin negotiations on the second phase, an official told AFP.

Hamas asked the mediators to “ensure that the occupiers comply with the agreement and do not stop.”

Agreement between Israel and Hamas

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on January 19 of this year. Hamas has promised to release the Israeli prisoners, and the Israeli army has begun withdrawing its forces from the enclave. Under the 42-day deal, Hamas was to release 33 hostages in exchange for about 1,900 prisoners in the first phase, and in the second phase, release all the rest and begin talks on a permanent ceasefire. The third phase would involve a prisoner swap.

^{Palestinian prisoner release
Photo: Reuters}
The first phase of the swap took place on January 19, after the deal was signed. Three Israelis were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. The second exchange took place on January 25 - four hostages were released by Hamas, in return for which Israel returned 200 Palestinian prisoners. The third round of the exchange took place on January 30. 110 Palestinians were released from prison in exchange for three Israeli citizens. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”