NEW YORK, February 26. /TASS/. The Gaza-based Palestinian group Hamas is regrouping its forces in the embattled enclave, preparing for a new standoff with Israel, Arab mediators for the talks between the movement and the Jewish state told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
On March 1, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip expires. According to the Arab officials, there is a chance that Israel and Hamas will not extend the deal.
The officials said that Hamas had also started repairing its underground tunnel network in the Strip, developing plans for the distribution of gun posts and training new troops for a guerrilla war against Israel.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on January 15 that thanks to the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement to implement a ceasefire in Gaza and release the hostages held in the enclave. The agreement, which includes three phases, entered into force on January 19. During the 42-day first phase of the deal, Hamas is to release 33 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.
To date, Hamas has released 25 surviving hostages and returned the bodies of four deceased hostages. It is expected that on February 27, the group will return the bodies of another four deceased hostages.
Earlier, the Financial Times reported, citing sources, that Israel wanted to indefinitely extend the first phase of the deal instead of moving to the second one which would facilitate the final settlement of the conflict.