Senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu claims that the release of Palestinian security prisoners to Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire-hostage deal proves that Hamas remains in control of the Gaza Strip. He states that the support for the prisoners will deter Israel from restarting its fight against Hamas. Al-Nunu also mentions that Hamas is ready to begin negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement while being fully prepared to continue the struggle against Israel. He adds that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party have rejected the possibility of a power-sharing agreement with Hamas.