Hamas has agreed in principle to release hostages and rejoin negotiations but says it needs more time than the 72-hour deadline set by the U.S. proposal.
Hamas announced on Friday that it is prepared to release all hostages as part of U.S.-backed negotiations to end the Gaza war but warned it would need more than the 72 hours outlined in President Donald Trump’s proposal. Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that releasing both living captives and the bodies of the deceased within three days was “unrealistic under the current circumstances.”
In a formal statement, the group said it would proceed with the releases “according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, provided that field conditions necessary for the exchange are secured.”
Hamas also informed mediators that it would agree to transfer governing authority in Gaza to an elected Palestinian body backed by Arab and Islamic nations, along with handing over its weapons.
The declaration followed Trump’s ultimatum demanding acceptance of the deal by Sunday or face “all HELL like no one has ever seen before.”