Hamas not negotiating ‘new or side’ agreements, says group’s spokesperson

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said on Friday that the group will not discuss “new or side agreements, but rather moving forward towards implementing the truce agreement in its various stages”.

He said that Hamas’s agreement to release an American-Israeli captive was a “positive gesture” stating that this proposal did not mean that Hamas is happy to renegotiate the truce.

Hazem also said the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes any proposal that aims at completing the ceasefire, fearing the dissolution of his government.

The group’s spokesperson called upon the US to exercise pressure on Israel to abide by the agreed upon ceasefire deal with all its phases, stating that Hamas is looking forward to the release of all prisoners and a permanent truce in the Strip.

Earlier, the US proposed a "bridge" plan that aims to extend the ceasefire to April, beyond Ramadan and Passover.