**DaysofPal-** Hamas announced late Friday that it had taken a “positive step” by expressing its intention to release Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who also holds American citizenship.
Spokesman for Hamas Hazem Qassem stressed in a statement that this decision was not a side deal but rather a component of the ceasefire agreement’s larger implementation.
“This is not about new or side agreements, but rather about proceeding with the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in its various phases,” Qassem stated.
He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the finalization of the ceasefire deal due to concerns about his government’s stability.
Qassem urged the U.S. administration to pressure Israel into adhering to the terms of the ceasefire. He further criticized Netanyahu for “starving the people of Gaza along with the Israeli captives” and exploiting the situation to maintain his government’s grip on power.
Earlier on Friday, U.S. presidential envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and the National Security Council issued a statement indicating that President Donald Trump had made it clear that Hamas would either release captives immediately or “pay a severe price.”
The statement outlined a new “bridge” proposal that would allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire, including the exchange of living captives for Palestinian prisoners.
The proposal, however, contradicted the terms of the recent ceasefire agreement, focusing on extending the first phase of the ceasefire rather than progressing to the second phase, as initially agreed. Hamas had previously announced that it was resuming negotiations with mediators in Doha regarding the ceasefire.
In response, Netanyahu delayed his official response to Hamas’ acceptance of the mediators’ proposal, accusing the group of engaging in “manipulation and psychological warfare.”
The first phase of the ceasefire deal, which lasted for 42 days, concluded in early March, but Israel has resisted moving forward to phase two. Instead, the Israeli government has pushed for further extensions to secure additional releases of captives without meeting military or humanitarian obligations.
In the wake of the first phase’s conclusion, Israel closed all crossings leading into Gaza, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid and cutting off electricity to the water desalination plant in central Gaza. This move has raised concerns that Israel is using starvation as a means of pressure on Hamas to force compliance with its demands.
Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and has called for immediate negotiations for the second phase, urging mediators to intervene and ensure that Israel adheres to its obligations.
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