The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, released on Saturday three Israeli detainees—including one American—as part of the sixth phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. In response, Israel freed 36 prisoners serving life sentences in the West Bank and 333 detainees from Gaza who had been arrested after 7 October 2023.
On Friday, Hamas reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire and the exchange deal, vowing to adhere to all scheduled phases. The movement’s leader, Taher Al-Nunu, told Agence France-Presse that negotiations on the second phase are expected to begin next week, with mediators actively engaged in discussions.
An Egyptian source familiar with the ceasefire negotiations stated Saturday that intensive efforts are underway to form a temporary committee overseeing relief and reconstruction in Gaza. Speaking to Daily News Egypt, the source confirmed Hamas’ commitment to the three-phase ceasefire agreement and noted that the group would not participate in governing Gaza in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Gaza government’s media office reported that no mobile homes, heavy equipment, or machinery had entered the Strip, despite pressing humanitarian needs. “No caravans, heavy equipment, or machinery have entered from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing so far,” said Salama Maarouf, head of the media office. “We hope they arrive in the coming hours, based on reassurances from relevant parties.”
The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that 25 bodies and 12 injured individuals had been received at hospitals over the past 48 hours, bringing the death toll from the Israeli offensive to 48,264, with 111,688 wounded since 7 October 2023.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, after earlier warning of severe consequences if Israeli detainees were not released by noon Saturday, issued another threat, saying: “I don’t know what will happen at 12:00 noon. If I were them, I would take a very tough stance. I can’t say what Israel will do.”
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem criticized Trump’s remarks, stating they contradict the agreement brokered by international mediators and the U.S. He urged Washington to pressure Israel into upholding the terms of the ceasefire if it values the lives of the detainees. Qassem also revealed that there are guarantees for the entry of essential aid, including mobile homes and heavy equipment.
“We have ways to respond if the occupation evades its commitments,” he added, noting that Hamas is actively engaging with mediators to address Israeli violations.
In a related development, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, condemned calls for the mass expulsion of Palestinians. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the international community to take urgent measures to halt Israeli settlement expansion, warning of the rise of extremism if such policies continue.
Meanwhile, the British Foreign Office called on all parties to uphold the ceasefire, secure the release of all detainees, and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also confirmed that Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov had been freed as part of the ceasefire deal. Russia expressed gratitude to the Palestinian side, as well as to Qatari and Egyptian mediators, for their role in securing his release. The ministry also noted that three other Russian nationals were freed in November 2023 during a separate humanitarian truce.
