Hamas hands over response; ball now in US, Israeli court: Exclusive
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Hamas rejects Israeli control over Gaza and urges post-truce guarantees as Egypt and Qatar mediate.
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Displaced Palestinians wait for donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (AP)
Hamas has delivered its official response in the ongoing negotiations, stated Hani al-Dali, a resistance affairs analyst for Al Mayadeen, noting that Hamas’ position explicitly opposes the Israeli occupation's demand to maintain control over 40% of the Gaza Strip.
Al-Dali stated that Hamas' response calls for firm guarantees to end the aggression after the initial 60-day truce, followed by reconstruction and aid efforts, while focusing on upholding the terms agreed upon in the March 2 agreement.
He noted that the group submitted its reply to Israeli officials in recent hours and is now awaiting Israeli and American reactions, stating that "the ball now is in the court of the US and Israel."
Regarding the mediators, al-Dali emphasized their crucial role at this stage, with Egypt playing a particularly important part. He explained that mediator countries, especially Egypt and Qatar, possess significant leverage to pressure "Israel" and push the negotiations toward a successful outcome.
Al-Dali's statement was confirmed by sources familiar with the negotiations who confirmed that Hamas and other Resistance groups have submitted their reply to mediators on the proposed ceasefire deal. According to the sources, the response mainly focused on humanitarian aid access, troop withdrawal plans, and assurances for an end to the war.
Starvation reaches catastrophic stage
On the topic of the Israeli-made famine in Gaza, al-Dali reported that the Gaza Strip has now reached stage 5 of famine, the most severe and catastrophic phase.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, hospitals in the Strip recorded 10 fatalities in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll from famine and malnutrition up to 111, as "Israel" continues its brutal siege on aid entering the enclave.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) revealed on July 22 that its humanitarian supplies in the Gaza Strip have been completely exhausted, leaving even some of its staff without food. “We distributed our last tent, our last food parcel, and our last relief item. There is nothing left,” NRC Secretary-General Jan Egeland told Reuters.
“There are hundreds of truckloads sitting idle, costing Western donors a fortune, but they are not allowed to enter. That’s why we are extremely angry, our mission is to help,” he said, adding that “Israel is not cooperating. They just want to obstruct our work.”
