Exclusive-Hamas, PIJ: No one can force terms on Palestinian Resistance

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
1 Feb 2024 00:35
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Top representatives of Hamas and the PIJ disclose information regarding ongoing mediated talks for a ceasefire to Al Mayadeen in a live interview.

Military members of the Palestinian Resistance hold a press conference in response to restrictive Israeli measures against worshippers heading to al-Aqsa Mosque, in Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, Palestine, on July 18, 2017. (AP)

Top officials from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) spoke to Al Mayadeen in a live televised interview to address the latest development regarding a mediated ceasefire deal with "Israel".

Ali Baraka, the head of Hamas' Department of National Relations Abroad, said the movement is conducting internal and external consultations with other Resistance factions regarding an anticipated deal.

The official said Hamas' response to a deal recently submitted by mediators will require time for formulation and finalization

Shedding light on the Palestinian Resistance's demands, Baraka said, "Our conditions include a ceasefire, opening the Rafah crossing, international Arab commitment to rebuilding [the Gaza Strip], and releasing prisoners on the basis of all for all."

It is worth noting that the term "all for all" refers to the release of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons, in exchange for the release of Israeli captives held by the Resistance in Gaza.

He also said the response, which will be presented to Egyptian mediators by the head of Hamas' Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, will represent all Palestinian Resistance factions and not just Hamas.

What does the Paris document entail?

Revealing some of the details of the submitted proposal, Baraka said, "The proposed plan consists of three stages for prisoners; the first stage is 45 days for civilians, the second stage for military personnel without specifying a time frame, and the third stage is for the exchange of bodies between the two sides, also without specifying a time frame."

Expanding on this point, Baraka stated that Hamas was notified "that the ceasefire period could be extended, but we want Arab and international guarantees for a ceasefire."

"In addition to our demand for guarantees, we have demands for reconstruction, withdrawal from the sector, and providing urgent housing for citizens," adding that "the Resistance did not lose the battle to have [Israeli] conditions imposed on it."

Commenting on plots for governments that manage Gaza's civilian affairs, which include those developed by the US and "Israel", Baraka said that no one will "dictate to us how to manage the Gaza Strip."

Importantly, Baraka said Fatah, whose officials head the Palestinian Authority, "has not sent an official response to the factions' document regarding the unified national leadership [plan]."

International actors have 'Israel's' best interest at heart

On his part, Ali Abu Shahin, a member of the PIJ's Political Bureau, stressed that the movement's position on the "Paris document" comes in line with its position on the Egyptian proposal.

Abu Shahin pointed out that "there is no new talk about a ceasefire in the Paris document," adding that "there is Palestinian consensus on managing internal affairs and the formula for managing the sector without external interference."

According to Abu Shahin, "The observations on the proposals presented are that they do not lead to a ceasefire, and we want guarantees in the face of the genocide war against us."

He emphasized that "the main driver" for international actors "is Israel's interest, and the criterion for them is Israeli prisoners," stressing that "Resistance is not weak to have conditions imposed on it."