Israel is ready to enter the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, according to the country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Saar said that this would require the release of all hostages and the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, the Times of Israel reported on Tuesday.
Israel is reportedly trying to pressure Hamas into accepting a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which expired last week, and release all remaining hostages in two stages.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday evening that Israel would only continue negotiations for a few more days.
Hamas rejects the plan and insists on the immediate implementation of a second stage of the agreement, which would see an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. This phase was originally due to start at the beginning of March.
It also calls for the release of all remaining living hostages. Deceased individuals abducted from Israel are to be handed over in a third phase.
The details of the second phase have yet to be negotiated by both sides.
Saar also said that Hamas’ main source of income is now humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, claiming the group uses the goods for terror purposes, according to his office.
According to eyewitnesses, gangs and armed Hamas fighters have repeatedly looted aid transports in Gaza, selling many of the seized goods at high prices.
Israel halted aid transports to the devastated coastal area on Sunday, defending the decision as necessary leverage to secure the release of remaining captives.
