Gaza - Saba:
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) refused to extend the first phase of the prisoner swap deal, stressing its adherence to the implementation of the deal as it was signed.
Mahmoud Mardawi, a Hamas leader, said in a brief press statement on Sunday evening that the "Israeli" occupation will not get its prisoners back except through an exchange deal.
He stressed that "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "delusional" if he thinks that the war of starvation will give him what he was unable to achieve in the field.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said earlier that contacts are continuing with mediators to ensure the implementation of the remaining stages of the ceasefire agreement.
Qassem expressed the movement's hope that the mediators' ongoing efforts would lead to a breakthrough and oblige the occupation to implement all stages of the ceasefire.
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