Hamas Offers to Release All Remaining Hostages in Exchange for Ceasefire Phase Two
Hamas has made a significant offer, indicating its readiness to release all remaining hostages if the Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel advances to a second phase in the coming weeks. This development brings a glimmer of hope to peace talks that have been stalled for months.
The Hamas Offer and Israel’s Response
In a major diplomatic move, Hamas stated it is prepared to release all its remaining hostages in a single exchange as part of a larger plan for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. This offer followed a decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to signal his willingness to negotiate phase two by appointing Ron Dermer to lead the Israeli delegation. Dermer, a US-born cabinet minister and former ambassador to Washington, replaces the previous negotiators, who have had differences with Netanyahu over his reluctance to progress the ceasefire.
Timeline of Hostage Releases and Ceasefire Progress
In the final weeks of the first phase, Hamas plans to hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including two young boys from the same family, on Thursday. Six more hostages will be released on Sunday, followed by the transfer of four additional bodies on the following Thursday. This sequence will conclude the first six-week phase of the ceasefire, scheduled to end on March 1.
However, 58 hostages remain in the hands of Hamas and allied militant groups in Gaza, with Israel believing that approximately 34 are already deceased. The agreed-upon plan for the second phase includes a staggered exchange of hostages and bodies for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Hamas has now proposed speeding up this process, suggesting a one-time release of all remaining hostages during the second phase.
Challenges and Key Players in the Negotiations
Netanyahu’s long-standing resistance to phase two negotiations, which involve a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and the exchange of prisoners, has been a major hurdle. The second phase would essentially end the conflict, but the far-right wing of Netanyahu’s coalition opposes it, fearing it would leave Hamas in control of Gaza.
Pressure on Netanyahu to proceed comes from various quarters, including the US. Steve Witkoff, a close friend of President Donald Trump and US president’s special envoy, has called for phase two to begin. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also indicated that discussions on phase two would start this week.
The Trump and Netanyahu Gazan Displacement Plan
Netanyahu has embraced Trump’s plan to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate the entire Palestinian population. This proposal faces strong opposition from neighboring countries. The United Arab Emirates, alongside Egypt and Jordan, has explicitly stated its opposition, noting that the plan would require significant cooperation to relocate more than 2.2 million people.
No official account of the meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the UAE leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was provided. The National, a state-linked newspaper, later reported Mohammed’s opposition to any plan that would displace Palestinians from Gaza.
The Road Ahead
The transition to phase two and the resolution of the Gaza crisis hinge on resolving several contentious issues, including Hamas’s disarming and its future role in managing Gaza. With time running short before phase two is due to begin, both parties must find common ground to proceed.
The offer from Hamas for an accelerated release of hostages signals an opportunity for progress in the seemingly intractable conflict. However, the path forward remains fraught with challenges and requires significant diplomatic effort from all parties involved.
As the international community watches closely, the coming days will determine whether this new offer translates into tangible steps toward peace in Gaza.
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