![A demonstrator raises a placard during a protest calling for the release of hostages held captive in Gaza since the 7th October 2024, in front of the Israeli Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on February 8, 2025. [Jack GUEZ / AFP/ Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-2197812983.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
A senior Palestinian official said to be involved in ongoing truce talks has told The Times of Israel that Hamas is prepared to release all remaining Israeli captives at once, on the condition that Israel agrees to a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal from Gaza — the core demands laid out in the second phase of the January ceasefire agreement.
According to the official, Hamas is willing to engage in an immediate, full release, provided Israel shows a clear commitment to end genocide in Gaza. However, he said, “Israel only wants a partial agreement so that it can continue fighting. It wants [Hamas] to give up all the hostages without entering the second phase.”
The same official accused Israel of breaking the January agreement by refusing to proceed with the second phase, which was supposed to begin 2 March. That phase included the release of all remaining captives in exchange for a permanent end to fighting and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Instead, the official said, Israel demanded an extension of phase one, which only allows for temporary ceasefires and limited prisoner exchanges — deviating from the terms agreed upon in January.
Read: Egypt and Qatar hold talks about restoring Gaza ceasefire deal
While Israel signed the deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently rejected its second-phase provisions, arguing they would allow Hamas to remain in power. Netanyahu has also refused to enter phase two negotiations, which were scheduled to begin 2 February.
According to the senior Palestinian official, Hamas is willing to relinquish governing authority in Gaza to independent Palestinian technocrats and agree to a multi-year truce with security arrangements — but not to disarm.
“Hamas will never disarm before a Palestinian state is created, because [it is] a resistance movement,” he said.
The official also criticised the Trump administration for what he called erratic involvement in captive diplomacy. He revealed that US hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, held direct talks with Hamas earlier this year, only for those communications to be abruptly cut off by White House advisor, Gabe Witkoff, after the talks were leaked to the media.
“How can you reach an agreement without speaking directly to [Hamas]?” he asked. “They were willing to do this with the Taliban.”
A Reuters report published recently aligns with the Palestinian official’s claims. According to Reuters, Hamas is refusing to engage with Israel’s latest counter-proposal, remaining committed to the mediators’ original plan — the same January deal Israel violated over 900 times before resuming deadly air strikes in Gaza. That plan, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, includes a 50-day extended ceasefire, the return of captives, beginning with American Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli captive, the reopening of humanitarian corridors, including the Netzarim Corridor and a full halt to Israeli military operations throughout the ceasefire period.
As the ceasefire talks stall, Israel’s military campaign continues. Over 50,400 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities. The enclave lies in ruins, and Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Despite the grim outlook, the senior Palestinian official emphasised that Hamas’s position remains unchanged: “If Israel commits to ending the war, [Hamas] will release all the hostages.”