Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan
Speaking to Al-Araby TV, he added that the world must closely monitor Israel’s behaviour in implementing the ceasefire agreement.
Hamdan also revealed that Israel is expected to begin a military withdrawal from all populated areas in Gaza, including Khan Younis, Rafah and Gaza City, starting tomorrow.
Speaking from Qatar, he explained that the withdrawal is a necessary step to facilitate the release of captives, as it would allow Hamas greater freedom of movement and enable arrangements on the ground.
Hamdan confirmed that the deal includes the release of 250 prisoners serving life sentences, along with 1,700 Gazans detained during Israel’s war on Gaza.
He declined to say whether prominent Palestinian figures such as Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti or Popular Front leader Ahmad Saadat would be among those released, noting only that Hamas had submitted a prioritised list to Israel.
He stressed that the ceasefire will only come into effect once it is approved by the Israeli government. He also said that starting Sunday, 400 aid trucks will enter Gaza each day.
The remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office warned that the ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal would only take effect following cabinet approval.
“Contrary to Arab media reports, the 72-hour countdown will begin only after the agreement is approved in the cabinet meeting, which is expected in the evening hours,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced in a post on Truth Social that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his 20-point plan aimed at achieving a “strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”
The first phase includes an exchange of captives and Palestinian prisoners, with the swap expected to take place within 72 hours of the deal’s implementation.
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