GAZA CITY Hamas on Thursday said that it is ready negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, calling on Israel to enter the talks. Hamas handed over to Israel the bodies of four hostages held in Gaza since its Oct. 7, 2023 attack in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners. This marked the final swap under the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal that took effect on Jan. 19. With the first phase set to conclude on March 1, negotiations over a second phase have not yet begun.