After returning slain hostage remains, Hamas says remaining hostages can only be freed through ceasefire agreement

Early Thursday morning, shortly after the completion of the handover of the bodies of the four remaining hostages from the first phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal, the Hamas terror organization released a statement confirming its readiness to enter negotiations for the second phase. 

“We renew our full commitment to the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, with all its aspects and provisions, and we also confirm our readiness to enter into negotiations related to the second phase of the agreement,” the group said in the statement. 

Hamas also stated that the only way for Israel to guarantee the return of the remaining hostages is through a continuation of the ceasefire agreement. 

“We reaffirm that the only way to release the occupation's prisoners in the Gaza Strip is to negotiate and adhere to what has been agreed upon only.” 

It warned that any attempts to change the agreement would endanger the hostages. 

“Any attempts by Netanyahu and his government to backtrack on the agreement and obstruct it will only lead to more suffering for the prisoners and their families,” the terror group stated. 

Hamas even claimed to have forced Israel to abide by the terms of the deal, stating, “The occupation's attempts to obstruct the release of our prisoners have failed, in the face of the movement's insistence on the occupation's implementation of its obligations, and the efforts of the mediators in Egypt and Qatar, and their decisive role in pressuring the occupation.” 

“We have cut off the path before the enemy's false justifications, and it has no choice but to start negotiations for the second phase,” the group said. 

At the same time, Hamas also expressed a willingness to either extend the first phase of the ceasefire or move immediately into the second phase. 

Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanu told Saudi newspaper Al-Arabiya that the terror organization is willing to extend the first phase of the ceasefire or to consolidate the two stages of the agreement according to the organization's "red lines" regarding the agreement. 

Al-Qanu also said that Hamas would accept any “agreed national formula” to administer the Gaza Strip, including surrendering weapons to a Palestinian national government. 

Meanwhile, an Israeli government source said that Israel will not leave the Philadelphi Corridor, saying Israel would not allow a return to the smuggling of weapons. 

Following the late-night (Israel time) release of the hostage remains, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was disappointed with the way Hamas handed over the bodies of slain Israeli hostages. 

"I'm very disappointed when I see. Four bodies came in today, these are young people. Young people don't die, okay. They think they're doing us a favor by sending us bodies,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting. 

Saying that “a decision has to be made by Israel,” Trump also highlighted the desire of the families to get even the remains of their deceased loved ones back, saying that some families have petitioned him to help.  

“This is a vicious group of people and Israel is going to have to decide what they're doing. Phase one is going to be ending. Think of it - today they sent in four bodies, ‘bodies’, and I will say one thing though- I've spoken to a lot of the parents and a lot of the people involved they want those bodies almost as much and maybe even just as much as they wanted their son or their daughter. [They said] Please sir please, my son is dead but they have his body please can you get it for us.” 

“Israel's going to have to make a decision,” the president reiterated. 

Hamas also responded to the release of an AI video by Trump on his Truth social media platform, saying, “Unfortunately, Trump is once again proposing ideas that do not take into account the cultures and interests of the people.” 

The AI video shows the Gaza Strip transformed into a tourism resort, with large hotels, wide boulevards, hotels, and casinos, all beside the beach. Several prominent figures appear in the video, including Trump, Elon Musk, and in the final moments, a scene showing Trump and Netanyahu in swimming attire, lounging in beach chairs. 

“Trump Gaza”.

Yes, President @realDonaldTrump did just post this Gaza AI video on his social media platforms. And yes it does include this image of him and PM Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/l40bBkV5P0

— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) February 26, 2025