CAIRO, May 19. /TASS/. The radical Palestinian group Hamas has denied claims that it allegedly agreed to release between seven and nine hostages in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
"There is no truth to the rumors about the movement agreeing to release hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire," the Palestinian Maan news agency quoted him as saying. Israeli authorities are trying to mislead the public by spreading "false news," the spokesman added.
Abu Zuhri reiterated Hamas’s position, stating the group is ready to "release all hostages at once" if Israel "commits to a ceasefire with international guarantees."
CNN reported on Sunday that Hamas was allegedly ready to release up to nine hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire and the release of 300 Palestinian prisoners.
On May 18, Palestinian officials said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had entered the decisive phase of the Gideon’s Chariots military operation aimed at defeating Hamas in Gaza. According to the Israeli prime minister’s office, "ground forces are advancing deep into the Gaza Strip," carrying out "pinpoint strikes against Hamas structures and occupying key positions."
On March 18, the IDF launched airstrikes on Hamas strongholds in Gaza, ending the ceasefire that had been in place since January. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said military operations resumed after Hamas rejected US proposals put forward by mediators and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. The office stated that the Israeli military had resumed strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza to facilitate the release of hostages and that the army would escalate its campaign in the enclave. The radicals have blamed the United States for the renewed Israeli offensive.