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Hamas Proposes Phased Hostage Release Amid Distrust

A senior Hamas official abroad, Mahmoud Mardawi, stated that Israel wants to receive ten hostages on the first day of implementing the deal. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mardawi questioned: “Who will guarantee the implementation of the agreement’s clauses for the day after, not the thirtieth day?” Mardawi emphasized that if Israel receives the ten hostages on the first day, the massacres will continue, saying, “We won’t take that gamble.” Mardawi clarified that his organization wants to bridge the time gap and ensure the agreement’s clauses are implemented, proposing that the organization release four hostages on the first day, two on the thirtieth day of the agreement, and four on the sixtieth day. “During these stages, negotiations related to the fate and future of the Palestinian people will take place,” Mardawi said.