Hamas Expresses Readiness for Immediate Indirect Talks to End Gaza War
The Palestinian movement welcomes Egyptian-Qatari mediation and affirms willingness to engage in negotiations based on the U.S. envoy’s proposal, aiming for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal.
Watan-The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas announced on Sunday its readiness to immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations aimed at resolving key points of contention and reaching an agreement to end the ongoing Israeli war of extermination in the Gaza Strip. The statement also welcomed the continued mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt to end the war.
In its official statement, Hamas said:“We affirm our readiness to immediately enter a new round of indirect negotiations to resolve outstanding issues, in order to provide relief for our people and end the humanitarian tragedy, ultimately reaching a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”
The movement added:“We welcome the current efforts by our brothers in Qatar and Egypt and value their ongoing work to protect our people and reach an agreement that ends the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas Signals Openness to Ceasefire Deal as Egypt, Qatar, and U.S. Push Mediation Forward
Hamas also confirmed that regional and international efforts to revive the stalled negotiations between the movement and Israel are ongoing, amid warnings of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as the war enters its twentieth month.
This announcement comes shortly after Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to intensifying mediation efforts. The statement emphasized narrowing gaps between the involved parties in the Israeli war on Gaza and overcoming obstacles to reach a ceasefire agreement based on the proposal from U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Weitkoff.
According to that proposal:
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A 60-day ceasefire would be declared.
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Hamas would release 28 Israeli captives (living and deceased) during the first week.
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In return, 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and the remains of 180 Palestinian martyrs would be released.
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Humanitarian aid would begin flowing into Gaza immediately upon signing the ceasefire deal.
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The final 30 Israeli hostages would be released by Hamas once a permanent ceasefire is in effect.
