Hamas officials say 'ready' for negotiations on phase two of Gaza truce

Hamas has told mediators it is prepared to begin negotiations on the second phase of the ongoing Gaza truce, two officials from the Palestinian militant group said Monday.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, said Hamas had conveyed its position during recent meetings with Egyptian mediators in Cairo.

"We are ready to start the negotiations for the second phase," one official told AFP. "We call on the mediators to ensure that the occupation adheres to the agreement and does not stall."

Under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, phase one—which began on January 19—focused on the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The second phase is expected to address the release of remaining hostages and may include discussions on a longer-term cessation of hostilities.

A Hamas official said the group is now "waiting for the mediators to initiate the next round" of indirect talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to discuss the next phase of negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Monday.

Netanyahu, currently in Washington, is scheduled to meet Trump on Tuesday to discuss the ceasefire, hostages, and broader conflict dynamics.

With the truce still holding, mediators are expected to push for further progress in securing hostage releases and potential steps toward a lasting resolution.