Hamas denies agreeing to Israeli presence in Philadelphi Axis

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
15 Sep 2024 16:01

A senior Resistance source tells Al Mayadeen that the Palestinian Resistance group affirms its commitment to a first-phase Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Axis.

Listen

This photo shows a tank with an Israeli occupation flag on it entering the Gazan side of the Rafah border crossing in occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, May 27, 2024. (AP)

A senior source in the Palestinian resistance reported to Al Mayadeen that Hamas strongly denies reports that it has agreed to allow "Israel's" control of the Philadelphi Axis.

Hamas insists on a first-phase withdrawal from Philadelphi Axis, the same source stressed.

It is worth noting that a senior Resistance source told Al Mayadeen on Wednesday that a tripartite meeting was held earlier between the Qatari and Egyptian mediators and Hamas to discuss resolving the lull in the talks.

The source stated that Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the July 2 proposal, initially presented by US President Joe Biden and approved by all parties except "Israel." However, it was later revealed by his national security advisor to have originated from an Israeli document.

According to the source, the mediators requested minor amendments, especially regarding the Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor and the criteria for releasing captives.

Resistance has clear demands

On Monday, Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' political bureau, emphasized that unless pressure is imposed on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adhere to the agreed terms regarding the prisoner exchange deal, the Israeli captives will not see the light of day.

Al-Rishq indicated that "everyone knows that Netanyahu and his Nazi government are the sides obstructing the agreement."

He emphasized that the Palestinian Resistance's demands are clear and non-negotiable: a permanent cessation of Israeli aggression on Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Strip.

The Hamas official warned against considering Netanyahu's new conditions as a basis for negotiation, as this would take the prisoner exchange and ceasefire talks back to square one.

Al-Rishq also dismissed the claims circulated by "Israel" and some US sources about new demands introduced by Hamas as false, considering them an attempt to evade responsibility for "Israel's role in delaying the negotiations to stop the aggression against the Palestinian people."