Hamas insists on primary demands for any exchange agreement: Officials
Hamas' politburo chief reiterates that the Resistance will not compromise on any of its primary conditions.
The Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, affirmed that the movement and the Resistance factions are dealing seriously and positively with any agreement that is based on a comprehensive ceasefire, complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, and prisoner exchange.
In a statement on Wednesday, Haniyeh said that the Resistance group is conducting negotiations "armed with this position, which represents the will of our people and its courageous resistance."
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Regarding the Israeli settlers' attacks on Palestinians in al-Quds during the "Flag March", the top official said that "the settlers' rampage in al-Quds confirms that the city is the axis of the struggle" between Palestinians and the occupation.
On Tuesday, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan criticized the Israeli occupation's response to a ceasefire proposal submitted by the Resistance in May, stating that it does not meet the requirements for a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
During a press conference, Hamdan emphasized Hamas' stance communicated to the mediators, which stipulates that they cannot agree to any deal that fails to ensure a lasting ceasefire and comprehensive withdrawal from Gaza.
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"The occupation will not see its captives held by the Resistance except through a serious and genuine deal where our Palestinian prisoners enjoy freedom," he asserted.
Hamas has said earlier that "Israel" used the negotiations "as a cover to continue its aggression and massacres against our Palestinian people" and responded to our "positive position by invading Rafah, occupying its crossing," and releasing statements that aim to obstruct the mediators' efforts.
On his part, the representative of Hamas in Lebanon, Ahmed Abdel Hadi, said on Wednesday, that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has achieved strategic results, including instilling deep fear in the hearts of the occupation leaders and settlers.
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Talking to Al Mayadeen, Ahmed Abdel Hadi stated that the October 7 operation "changed the rules of the struggle with the occupation," adding that the results of this change "are now clear to everyone."
Abdel Hadi also pointed out that "the occupation is now facing a strategic impasse across all the fields and fronts in Gaza, the West Bank, and occupied al-Quds."
Netanyahu seeks to expand the war
Regarding the cessation of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the official said, "[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is not interested in ending the war nor reaching any agreement, but seeks to expand the war to include the entire region." However, he stressed that the Israeli premier "will not be able to achieve anything in Gaza or anywhere he expands the war to, especially on the northern front with Lebanon."
"Our position is clear, and we do not compromise on our fundamental demands, which is why Hamas has not yet received any proposal, and it does not succumb to pressure," he said.
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The Israelis have failed to achieve any of their war objectives, Abdel Hadi continued, noting that this failure comes despite them using all military capabilities, supported by unlimited support from the United States.
On the escalation of Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank, Abdel Hadi said that "they [attacks] come in two contexts: the first is the occupation's fear and the second is its attempt to pressure the Palestinians."
"The resistance in the West Bank, along with the Palestinian people, reject the occupation's projects, and confront them by carrying out heroic operations, and they will thwart Israeli plans."