Militant group Hamas said on Thursday it was ready to begin talks on the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza after several hundred Palestinians were released from Israeli jails overnight in return for the bodies of four Israeli hostages.
In a statement early Thursday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had ordered a delegation of negotiators to be send to Cairo, Egypt the same day to continue talks.
It was the final exchange of the six-week first phase of a ceasefire that came into effect on January 19 in the war in Gaza.
Talks have yet to begin on a second phase, meant to lead ultimately to a permanent end to the war that began in October 2023 when Hamas-led fighters stormed Israeli towns and Israel responded with a retaliatory assault that has devastated the enclave.
Hamas said on Thursday the only way remaining hostages in Gaza would be freed is through commitment to the ceasefire.
“We renew our full commitment to the ceasefire agreement and confirm our readiness to enter into negotiations for the second phase of the agreement,” the group said in a statement.