PALESTINE

Wed 21 Jan 2026 7:17 am - Jerusalem Time

Hamas: Ready to cooperate on the "last body" file, and "Israel" continues to stall

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem announced that the movement has provided all available data and information regarding the body of the last detainee held in the Gaza Strip.

Qassem affirmed that the continuous intransigence by the occupation government is the main obstacle preventing the closure of this file, noting that the movement has shown full readiness to cooperate with mediators to overcome this humanitarian and political hurdle.

These statements come at a sensitive time, coinciding with the anniversary of former US President Donald Trump's second term, during which he announced the existence of information about the body's location.

The issue of the captive "Ran Gvili" is the last technical obstacle to completing the exchange programs stipulated in the American plan for de-escalation in the region. Field tensions stem from the policy of imposing restrictions adopted by the occupation authorities in contact areas, where Qassem revealed that the occupation's measures behind what is known as the "Yellow Line" have repeatedly hampered search efforts.

This behavior is seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate military presence in vital corridors, bringing back regional powers' fears of turning humanitarian files into tools to legitimize the occupation of new areas within the Strip.

Hazem Qassem clarified that the Hamas leadership has dealt with all initiatives with high flexibility, including informing mediators and guarantors of all efforts made.

He stressed that the movement "keeps mediators updated on developments first-hand" and is ready for any genuine effort that leads to finding the body, provided there is serious intent from the other party.

Qassem accused the occupation government of politically exploiting this file, considering that the pretexts of not finding the body aim to evade the commitments of the first phase of the ongoing understandings.

He affirmed that "the ball is now in the occupation's court" to stop Tel Aviv's stalling policy to gain more time and achieve additional security gains.

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Hamas: Ready to cooperate on the "last body" file, and "Israel" continues to stall

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