Hamas politburo chief: Ceasefire proposal received, to be looked into

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
30 Jan 2024 16:21
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The head of the political bureau movement voiced his pride in the well-executed and impactful developments on the complimentary fronts supporting Gaza.

Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh tours the site of a destroyed building, in Gaza City, March 27, 2019 (AP)

The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, announced Tuesday that the movement received a proposal for a ceasefire, after talks in Paris, and that they will be looking into it.

Haniyeh emphasized that the priority was to end the military aggression and achieve a withdrawal of Israeli Occupation Forces from Gaza.

Haniyeh also affirmed that he will visit Cairo for discussions on the Paris proposal for a ceasefire, adding that the movement was open to all ideas that could achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

Regarding the escalations and massacres, including the renewed aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, the leader reaffirmed the international community must live up to its obligations by pressuring the occupation to stop its massacres and crimes. This includes the policy of persecution against the Palestinian people in the West Bank, executions, arrests, and daily incursions into cities and camps.

He also affirmed that all these practices will not break the determination and commitment of the Palestinian people who aspire for freedom and independence.

He added that the statements by the leaders of the occupation claiming that their aggression and military crimes would break the resistance or force it to make concessions at the expense of the interests of the Palestinian people are mere illusions shattered by the resilience of the resistance.

In a related context, the head of the movement denounced the positions and decisions taken by the United States and some Western countries towards defunding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He criticized the suspension of their contributions and financial commitments to UNRWA at a time when they should be increased if anything.

Haniyeh affirmed that these decisions come as a glaring violation of the recent International Court of Justice's ruling, which had called for an increase in aid to Gaza. He added that these measures are indicative of a systematic policy by these countries to support and endorse the occupation's aggression.

Haniyeh also added that the justifications made by those countries for suspending their contributions are frail and baseless, not supported by any evidence other than the occupation's unsubstantiated justifications and blatant propaganda.

He emphasized that the goal of these actions was to exert pressure on the United Nations and punish it for the reports it had submitted to the court regarding the impact of the aggression on the Palestinian people. He commended the statements of UN Secretary-General Guterres, which were relied upon by the International Court of Justice in its decision.

Haniyeh reiterated his gratitude and appreciation for South Africa, acknowledging its historic stance in supporting the Palestinian people by filing a lawsuit with the ICJ.

The head of the movement voiced his pride in the well-executed and impactful developments on the complimentary fronts supporting Gaza: aiming to stop the aggression, lift the blockade, and allow the passage of humanitarian aid.

He condemned the attacks "on the brothers in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq", as well as the continuous warmongering against Iran. At the same time, he expressed appreciation for all ongoing efforts and activities in the Arab and Islamic world and among the free people of the world in solidarity with Gaza and Palestine.