Hamas rejects extending first phase of Gaza ceasefire, ties hostage release to phased deal

CAIRO (Reuters) – Hamas will not agree to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal as requested by Israel, a senior Hamas official said Sunday.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mahmoud Mardawi said Hamas would only release the remaining Israeli hostages under the terms of the already agreed-upon phased deal.

(Reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Hatem Maher)