Hamas spokesman says conditions for second stage of deal haven’t changed

In an interview aired by al Jazeera early Sunday morning, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem says that the terror group is sticking to its conditions for a second phase to the ceasefire with Israel — a hostage-prisoner exchange, Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and a guarantee of no return to war, stressing that Hamas “rejects extending the first stage of the ceasefire agreement.”

Qassem says he does not “rule out the possibility of meeting with representatives of the US administration.”

“Hamas understands that Washington has the ability to pressure” Israel on these conditions, he adds.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced late Saturday that he would send a delegation to Doha on Monday in an attempt to move negotiations forward; meanwhile there have been unprecedented direct talks between Hamas leaders and US hostage envoy Adam Boehler in recent weeks, apparently focused on hostages with US citizenship.

According to Qassem, Hamas “does not mind the release of Israeli prisoners with American citizenship,” but adds that it will be “within a comprehensive agreement.”