GAZA, (PIC)
The spokesperson for the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas, Abdul Latif al-Qanou, confirmed that the Movement has created positive atmospheres in the ongoing negotiations, acted with high responsibility, and accepted the proposal from the mediators, pointing out that the ball is now in the Israeli court.
In a press statement on Saturday, al-Qanou said that “the Hamas negotiating delegation returned to Cairo again yesterday (Friday) and is following up with Egyptian officials on the developments of the ongoing negotiations and discussing the proposed suggestions.”
He explained that the Movement’s agreement to release the captive Edan Alexander reflects its flexibility and positive engagement with the proposals put forward by the mediators.
Al-Qanou indicated that Hamas’s acceptance of the mediators’ proposal is not an alternative to the second phase but rather paves the way for starting negotiations towards ending the war and withdrawal.
He added that “the Movement’s positive response to the mediators’ proposal is part of the ceasefire agreement and the ongoing negotiations to complete its other phases.”
Al-Qanou reiterated that Hamas supports any proposal that reaches them through the mediators and engages with it with great flexibility and high positivity, emphasizing that the Movement has not set impossible conditions.
He pointed out that the problem lies in Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on procrastination to save his political future, confirming that Israel has violated the first phase by halting the humanitarian protocol and blocking all Gaza crossings for the second week.
On Friday, Hamas announced that a delegation from its leadership headed to Cairo to meet with Egyptian officials and follow up on the developments in the negotiations after providing a response accepting the mediators’ proposal regarding the release of an Israeli soldier with American citizenship and the bodies of four dual nationals.
This comes after Hamas confirmed that the leadership delegation received a proposal from the mediators on Thursday to resume ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, affirming its responsible and positive engagement with it.
Hamas clarified that it “delivered its response to the proposal early Friday, including its agreement to release the Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four others with dual citizenship.”
It confirmed its complete readiness to start negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement regarding the issues of the second phase, calling for the occupation to fully comply with its obligations under the ceasefire agreement. On Tuesday, Hamas announced the start of a new round of ceasefire negotiations, urging the mediators to exert all pressure on Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the ceasefire conditions.
At the beginning of March, the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which lasted 42 days, ended, while Israel shirked entering the second phase and ending the war.
Netanyahu wants to extend the first phase of the agreement, which came into effect on January 19, 2025, to release as many Israeli captives as possible in Gaza, without completing the military and humanitarian obligations imposed by the agreement during the past period, to appease extremists in his government.
In contrast, Hamas affirms its commitment to implementing the agreement and demands that the occupation be bound by all its terms, calling on the mediators to immediately begin negotiations for the second phase, which includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a complete cessation of the war.
