By Faruk Hanedar and Gizem Nisa Cebi
JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL (AA) - Hamas denied media reports Saturday that claimed the group is open to a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
A statement published on Hamas' Telegram channel, attributed to senior official Mahmoud Mardawi, dismissed claims that mediators received messages suggesting Hamas was willing to agree to a temporary truce.
“Hamas confirms its full commitment to the agreement that was reached, with the necessity of moving to the second phase negotiations according to the agreed upon specifications, and that this news is incorrect and has no connection to reality,” it said.
-Reports of extension of 1st phase of agreement
Arab media reported that Hamas had agreed to extend the first phase of the agreement by two months in exchange for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Israel’s state broadcaster, KAN, meanwhile, citing an Israeli source, reported that the US launched an initiative to secure the release of 10 hostages in exchange for the two-month extension to the ceasefire.
The report said negotiations were taking place between the US and Hamas with the support of Qatari and Egyptian mediators, without Israeli involvement.