Exclusive: Negotiations ongoing despite difficult Israeli conditions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
26 Mar 2024 18:41
7 Shares

A source from the Palestinian Resistance details to Al Mayadeen the latest developments on mediated negotiations between Hamas and "Israel".

A Palestinian security officer overlooks a crowd of Palestinians celebrating the release of detainees following a remarkable deal imposed by the Resistance on Israeli officials at the main square in Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, Palestine, October 18, 2011. (AP)

Mediated negotiations are still "ongoing" despite the difficult circumstances generated by the Israeli side, a source from the Palestinian Resistance told Al Mayadeen on the condition of anonymity.

"Despite the deadlock in the negotiations and Hamas’ rejection of all proposals made by Israel, negotiations are still ongoing," the source told Al Mayadeen on Tuesday.

"Despite all the flexibility that Hamas has shown, especially in the prisoner exchange issue, in terms of reducing the number of prisoners demanded to be released as a goodwill gesture, Israel made bare minimum counteroffers," the Palestinian Resistance official explained.

"Hamas rejects Israel's offer regarding the return of the displaced in terms of the number and mechanism," the source said in relation to detailed clauses brought up in mediated talks.

"Israel proposed transferring the displaced to tents in the northern region under the supervision of the United Nations, which Hamas rejected. Hamas and the Resistance insisted on the return of the displaced to their homes, even if they are destroyed," he added.

In detail the Israeli side proposed a detailed plan that would see the gradual and conditioned return of forcibly displaced Palestinians, however, this would only include women, children, and the elderly. Moreover, in the Israeli proposal, only 60,000 displaced Palestinians would be allowed to return; a fraction of the total number of displaced people from northern Gaza, which amounts to 800,000 people.

The source revealed that "Israel" disregarded the main pillars of the Palestinian Resistance's demands, specifically a long-lasting ceasefire.

"Israel did not mention a ceasefire [in its proposal] and did not submit a clear proposal regarding the withdrawal of its forces from heavily populated areas."

"Clearly, the occupation seeks to establish its presence in the entire north, center, east, and south of the Gaza Strip," the source explained.

On the other hand, the Palestinian Resistance side represented by the negotiators from the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas "insists" on a vision that includes clear maps that would detail the process of Israeli withdrawal from the Strip.

"Hamas insists on the return of UNRWA to the city of Gaza and the north, while Israel rejects [the demand]," the source concluded.

Negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar between the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel" have been ongoing for months, however, multiple officials from the Resistance have explained that "Israel" has been actively disregarding the main demands of the Resistance and proposing unclear clauses to issues such as the return of displaced Palestinians or the withdrawal of forces. On the other hand, the Palestinian Resistance has remained open to talks, welcoming a recent resolution by the United Security Council, which demanded a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the month of Ramadan.