Hamas considers alternatives due to failure of ceasefire negotiations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
20 Apr 2024 16:05
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A senior Palestinian source has affirmed that the current course in negotiations is ending due to dead-ends imposed by "Israel".

Masked Hamas militants wave their national flags during a protest against the Mideast plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, in Gaza City, February 21, 2020. (AP)

A source in the Palestinian Resistance's leadership relayed to Al Mayadeen that Hamas affirmed the absence of any foundations of negotiation with the Israeli occupation, noting that an alternative path could be considered due to the dead-end the movement has been facing on its current course.

According to the source, after Hamas responded to the mediators' proposal, contact was not made with the US or "Israel". The Israeli occupation's representatives stated that Hamas' response signified a failure of negotiations, stressing that no envoy would be sent until the movement shifted its stance.

However, Hamas remains committed to its four non-negotiables: the withdrawal of all occupation forces, the halt of military operations, the return of displaced Palestinians, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

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Hamas delivered its response to the latest proposal it received from mediators in Egypt and Qatar on April 13, a high-ranking Palestinian Resistance official told Al Mayadeen.

Hamas' response included clauses on several issues disputed by the Israeli occupation's negotiators, the sources added.

Several clauses, pertaining to the first stage of the proposed deal, were modified by the Palestinian Resistance, including the main points relating to the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced Palestinians to their homes, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the detainees-to-captives ratio to be exchanged in the deal. According to the sources, modifications were also made to the second stage of the proposed deal, in which Hamas demanded a clear written item on a complete ceasefire.

Hamas confirmed that it did deliver a response to the mediators, saying that it will stand by the main demands it made in previous messages to mediators.