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Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked on the weekend that the Gaza hostilities remains unresolved, even though the two warring sides endorsing components of a proposed resolution framework designed to conclude the nearly two-year war.

Logistical Discussions to Show Hamas's Seriousness

"We will know shortly whether Hamas is serious or not by the progress of logistical discussions about the release of hostages," the secretary stated on a news program.

These comments came as declarations that the militants risk "total destruction" if it seeks to hold in power in the territory. Representatives will engage in discussions in Egypt on the coming week, but facilitators are encountering obstacles, including the process of prisoner exchanges that could delay hopes for a rapid cessation of hostilities.

Dual-Stage Process to Resolution Framework

During another appearance, he detailed that mediated talks are "the nearest we've been to achieving complete hostage liberation".

However, he cautioned that the proposed agreement – accepted by both parties including several sticking points, including the demilitarization of the group – was possibly encountering "numerous difficulties along the way."

He stated he "urges all parties" to think about the process in two parts – the first where militants consent to the hostage liberation structure, prisoners are let go and troops retreat.

Practical Difficulties and Timeline Concerns

However, the practicalities remain unclear, like the transfer mechanism and handover arrangements. "We want to see that take place swiftly," he said. "The hostage piece must occur extremely quickly."

"I remain optimistic that their liberation will occur. And I think there are possibilities," he continued.

According to the framework, the group would free the remaining 48 hostages – about 20 of them presumed surviving – over three days. Conversely, Israeli forces would stop its operations and pull out of large portions of Gaza, free numerous detainees and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction.

Militant Group's Stance

"The group is eager to secure a deal to cease hostilities and quickly initiate the captive transfer following the field conditions," an informed source said Sunday.

Yet they noted that "the military must not obstruct the execution of the peace plan. If the military has sincere motives to secure a deal, militants are willing."

Future Difficulties

During his remarks on the weekend, he detailed the second phase of the agreement includes talks about the situation following Israel pulls back and how a new governance structure for the territory would be formed.

"This aspect that in my view is may become slightly harder to address, but that's what's going to provide permanency to the cessation of hostilities," he told.

Additionally, he noted that "all parties concur, with Israeli consent, that eventually, sooner or later throughout these proceedings, the territory will be administered by a expert Palestinian body without Hamas involvement, that are not terrorists, guided and helped of an global coalition similar to peacekeeping bodies."