Exclusive: Hamas flexibility in negotiations met with Israeli stalling
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A top official in the Palestinian Resistance informs Al Mayadeen of the latest developments of the crucial Cairo negotiations.
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A masked Palestinian Resistance leader speaks during a military drill organized by Palestinian Resistance factions under the Palestinian Joint Operations Room Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, Palestine, December 29, 2020. (AP)
The Israeli occupation has not yet expressed any positive stance regarding ending the war, and it refuses to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, a senior official in the Palestinian Resistance told Al Mayadeen on Wednesday.
Speaking on mediated negotiations between the Palestinian Resistance and Israeli authorities in Cairo, which have not stopped since Sunday, the senior official updated Al Mayadeen on the latest developments.
"The goal of the ongoing negotiations in Cairo is to reach an agreement that achieves a permanent ceasefire, the return of the displaced, [complete] withdrawal, and providing the needs of our people," he reiterated.
Hamas flexible as 'Israel' maneuvers
The source revealed that Hamas exhibited as much flexibility as possible to achieve its demands, but "Israel" continues to disregard "the efforts of the mediators."
Israeli authorities did not give any positive stances when it comes to ending the war, stressing that they do not want to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, the senior official told Al Mayadeen.
Importantly, he revealed that the occupation is "maneuvering" in negotiations and is pushing to discuss withdrawal clauses. This clause specifically was described as "dubious and unclear" by the official.
"Israel is offering a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip without specifying areas [where the action would be taken], while Hamas is demanding that the process be completed through clear maps."
Read more: UN official calls for flooding Gaza with aid it needs
Israeli excuses, maneuvering hindering process
The source pointed out that the occupation is attempting to market the captives to detainee ratio as an issue of contention that is hindering the flow of negotiations. However, this is not the case, the official explained, stressing that Israeli-driven media campaigns on a contended prisoner exchange clause are "absolutely not true."
On the issue of returning forcibly displaced Palestinians to their homes, the official revealed that the Israeli occupation wants to restructure the process into a gradual and detailed procedure.
"The occupation does not adhere to what has been agreed upon in terms of relief, aid, and increasing quantities [of aid], and if it agrees, it evades with frivolous excuses, including its inability [to do so]."
Read more: Resistance will not compromise any of its non-negotiables: Hamas off.
A dangerous turning point nears
"The negotiations have reached a dangerous turning point that threatens the possibility of their success and the possibility of reaching a final agreement," the official revealed to Al Mayadeen.
Sticking to its original demands, Hamas did not present any new initiative regarding the prisoner exchange ratio, which is the most important issue for "Israel", according to the official.
Moreover, mediators tried to verbally reassure Hamas that "Israel" would accept its demands, but the Palestinian Resistance movement insisted on a written document that ensures that these promises are kept.
"After rounds of negotiations and in the presence of Egyptian and Qatari mediators, Hamas is now convinced that the occupation will not provide clear answers [for its demands]," the senior official highlighted.
Crucially, "Israel" is yet to provide the Resistance with any clear-cut guarantees that it will stick to a ceasefire, as it continues to disregard the main demand of the Palestinian Resistance, the official concluded. Hamas demands that the Israelis "completely halt military operations" in the Gaza Strip, in the first stage of any deal, while the second stage would see talks on a full ceasefire, the official added.
It is worth noting that this statement in the negotiations process comes after the United States vetoed multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying that it is leading efforts in well-paced negotiations between the two sides.
However, the statements made by leaders of the Palestinian Resistance and in some cases the mediators show otherwise.
Read more: US vetoes Algeria's UNSC resolution demanding ceasefire in Gaza
