Gaza Prisoners exchange deal: Hamas rolls out proposal for Phase II, releasing all captives at once

Admin I Wednesday, February 19, 2025

 

GAZA, Palestine – The Islamic Resistant Movement, Hamas in Palestine has rolled a proposal to kick off Phase II of ceasefire and prisoners exchange deal.

In the proposal, Hamas outlined three process in a single package.

Hamas Head of Negotiating Delegation, Dr. Khalil Al-Hayya made the proposal in his speech.

According to him, the movement and the resistance reaffirm their readiness to immediately engage in negotiations to implement the second phase, which includes:

1- A complete ceasefire and the achievement of lasting calm.

2- The full withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.

3- The completion of a prisoner exchange deal for the second phase in one go, and we are ready to agree on it as a single package.

“We stress the importance of securing all these commitments with binding international guarantees, as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolution 2735”, he said.

“To our Palestinian people everywhere… To our steadfast people in Gaza, the land of dignity, steadfastness, and pride, we extend our deepest appreciation and admiration for your patience, perseverance, and unwavering resolve since the very first day of the glorious Al-Aqsa Flood operation up until today.

On January 27 of this year, the world witnessed you marching in a human flood back to your homes destroyed by the occupation, defying, through your actions and steadfastness on the ground, all schemes of displacement and all attempts to uproot you from your land. Today, the world watches with admiration and astonishment as you persist in rebuilding life and creating hope despite the harsh conditions.

Hamas and the resistance have demonstrated their seriousness and responsibility in implementing the agreement, while the occupation and the government of “Netanyahu” respond with procrastination and attempts to evade its implementation, particularly concerning the humanitarian aspects.

We continue to work tirelessly, day and night, in all directions and with the mediators—especially Qatar and Egypt—to ensure the occupation abides by the first phase of the agreement. This includes the entry of relief and shelter materials, heavy equipment, fuel, alternative electricity sources, freedom of travel through the crossing in both directions, and access to fishing at sea, all to alleviate our people’s suffering and strengthen their steadfastness on their land.

In continuation of our ongoing efforts to ensure the success and completion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with the enemy, and in preparation for engaging in its second phase, and in response to the mediators’ efforts, the movement and the resistance have decided the following:

• First: The handover of four bodies of occupation captives on Thursday, February 20, including members of the “Bibas” family. In return, the enemy shall release the agreed-upon number of our prisoners on Saturday, February 22, with the remaining bodies covered in the first phase to be handed over in the sixth week.

• Second: The release, on Saturday, February 22, of the remaining six living occupation captives agreed upon in the first phase, including prisoners “Hisham Al-Sayed” and “Avera Mengistu,” with the enemy reciprocating by releasing the corresponding number of our prisoners, as per the agreement.

These steps reflect the movement’s commitment to implementing the agreement as outlined and in response to the mediators’ efforts.

Once again, we emphasize the necessity of compelling the occupation to fully implement all provisions of the agreement without exception or delay. This especially includes the entry of heavy equipment to retrieve the bodies of our martyrs from under the rubble, as well as the bodies of occupation captives who were killed due to the zionist bombardment of our people.

The enemy continues to stall and evade engaging in negotiations for the second phase, which was originally supposed to begin on the 16th day after the agreement was signed.

The movement and the resistance reaffirm their readiness to immediately engage in negotiations to implement the second phase, which includes:
1- A complete ceasefire and the achievement of lasting calm.
2- The full withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.
3- The completion of a prisoner exchange deal for the second phase in one go, and we are ready to agree on it as a single package.

We stress the importance of securing all these commitments with binding international guarantees, as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolution 2735.