Hamas announced that it would release six detainees on Saturday, February 22. A statement issued by Hamas official Hazem Qassem said that this decision was made to continue efforts to make the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel a success, prepare for participation in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, and also in response to the mediation efforts of the mediating parties. He offers to release all captives for an end to Israel's war on Gaza in the second phase.