The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. 

In a statement on Saturday, Hamas said the truce “is holding, and the withdrawals of the occupation army are continuing according to the agreement.”

“We insist on completing the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement,” the statement read.

Hamas said it is working to remove any pretexts that could allow the Israeli regime to violate the ceasefire’s terms. It also said efforts are underway with mediators to locate the bodies of Israeli captives held in Gaza and to advance the prisoner exchange process.

“We continue our contacts with mediators regarding the prisoner file in an effort to achieve a breakthrough,” it added.

In a separate statement, Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq reiterated the resistance group’s “firm commitment to dedicating all our capabilities and efforts to serving our people and providing them with relief in the Gaza Strip.”

This, he said, will be done “despite the massive destruction left by the war and the lack of all basic necessities for normal life in the Strip.”

A multi-stage roadmap for the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel was finalized on Thursday. Both sides confirmed that the ceasefire went into effect on Friday.

The first phase of the deal, proposed by US President Donald Trump, is expected to see the release of all 20 living Israeli captives and the beginning of the handover of deceased captives, in exchange for around 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.