Hamas Reportedly Willing to Release All Israeli Hostages in Single Exchange Once Second Phase of Ceasefire Begins

Latest Developments

Hamas Willing to Release All Hostages Under Phase Two of Ceasefire: A senior Hamas leader has said that the Iran-backed terrorist group is willing to release all remaining Israeli hostages in one exchange once the Gaza ceasefire enters its second phase. “We have informed the mediators that Hamas is ready to release all hostages in one batch during the second phase of the agreement, rather than in stages, as in the current first phase,” Taher al-Nunu told the Agence France-Presse news agency on February 19. Al-Nunu did not specify whether such a release would include the remains of hostages slain in Gaza, currently scheduled for release in the ceasefire’s third and final phase. A total of 59 hostages will remain in Gaza at the completion of the first phase of the deal on March 2, 35 of whom have been confirmed dead by the Israeli authorities.
Netanyahu Insists on Removal of Hamas From Gaza: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on February 19 that the talks on the second phase — which is expected to provide for the release of all remaining hostages, the withdrawal of all IDF troops from Gaza, and the end of the war — would begin “this week.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that the conditions for the second phase include the disarmament and removal of Hamas from Gaza, with no role for the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority in managing the coastal enclave once the war ends. Israeli media outlets also reported that Netanyahu is appointing Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to lead negotiations on phase two, replacing Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and the IDF’s hostage negotiator Nitzan Alon.
Four Slain Hostages to be Returned on Thursday: Preparations were underway on February 19 for the scheduled return on February 20 of the bodies of four slain hostages, who will reportedly include Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. Currently, it remains unclear as to whether Hamas will stage another of its widely condemned ceremonies before the bodies of the hostages are handed over to the Red Cross, which will transport them to Israeli forces just inside the Gazan border. A rabbi will lead a ceremony for the Israeli hostages, whose coffins will be draped with Israeli flags before being returned to Israel.

FDD Expert Response

“If the negotiating teams can get both sides to enter phase two of the deal, it will be a feat. Hamas’s goal is to get through phase two intact and in control of the enclave, whereas Jerusalem and Washington have said that Hamas cannot remain in charge. This fundamental structural tension is likely to play out at the negotiating table in the coming weeks, and it’s difficult to see how the mediators — particularly U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff — will square the circle and get the remaining hostages home.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“While Hamas’s offer to release all the hostages in a single swap in the second phase of the ceasefire may appear to be positive news, the lack of details leaves questions unanswered. Hamas is unlikely to give up all of its most important assets without a worthwhile offer in return. The key question is, what does Hamas want in exchange?” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal