![Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, make preparations to hand over Israeli hostages in Khan Yunis, Gaza on February 15, 2025. [Ashraf Amra - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AA-20250215-37062268-37062251-HAMAS_HANDS_OVER_3_ISRAELI_HOSTAGES_IN_THE_GAZA_STRIP_TO_RED_CROSS-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Israel claimed on Friday that Hamas “hasn’t budged an inch” in negotiations regarding a truce in Gaza, rejecting the Palestinian movement’s announcement of its willingness to release a hostage and return the bodies of four others, in what it described as “psychological warfare”.
A statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office remarked: “Whereas Israel accepted the Witkoff framework, Hamas remains firm in its refusal and has not budged an inch.” The statement accused Hamas of continuing its “manipulations and psychological warfare”.
Hamas confirmed on Friday that it had received a proposal from mediators to resume ceasefire negotiations, noting: “The Hamas leadership delegation received a proposal from the mediating brothers on Thursday to resume negotiations. The movement dealt with it responsibly and positively and submitted its response early Friday morning.”
The movement explained that the response included the movement’s agreement to release Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who is a US citizen, in addition to the bodies of four other dual nationals.
READ: Tensions rise between Washington, Tel Aviv over US-Hamas Talks