Hamas reaffirms ceasefire demands after delegation departed Cairo
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Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq reaffirmed Hamas's readiness to implement the 2 July Biden proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
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Senior Hamas leader Izzat al-Rishq in Ankara, Turkiye on October 18, 2019. (Agencies)
Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq issued a statement on Sunday detailing the outcomes of the recent negotiations in Cairo.
"The Hamas delegation left Cairo tonight, after meeting with Egyptian and Qatari mediators who briefed them on the results of the latest negotiations," Izzat al-Rishq said in a statement.
Al-Rishq said that the Hamas delegation demanded "Israel" adhere to the terms agreed upon on July 2, which are based on US President Joe Biden's speech and a UN Security Council resolution.
He reaffirmed Hamas's readiness to implement these agreements, provided they protect the supreme interests of the Palestinian people and halt the ongoing aggression.
"Hamas reiterates its readiness to implement" the Biden plan, Rishq said.
Al-Rishq further reiterated several key conditions for any potential agreement. He stated that Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the unrestricted return of displaced residents to their homes, comprehensive relief and reconstruction efforts, and a serious prisoner exchange deal.
According to the Resistance movement Hamas, "Israel" has reneged on its commitment to remove troops from the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridors and has proposed additional requirements, such as vetting displaced Palestinians upon their return to the more densely populated north of the enclave once the ceasefire takes effect.
"We will not accept discussions about retractions from what we agreed to on July 2 or new conditions," Hamas official Osama Hamdan told the group's Al-Aqsa TV on Sunday.
Hamdan added that US claims of an impending agreement are untrue and that Hamas has given mediators its reaction to the most recent plan.
⭕ القيادي في حـمـ.اس ، عزت الرشق:
— قـٰٓـا ســِم (@kassim7th) August 25, 2024
- غادر وفد حركة حمـ.اس المفاوض القاهرة مساء اليوم، بعد أن التقى الإخوة الوسطاء في مصر وقطر، واستمع منهم لنتائج جولة المفاوضات الأخيرة.
- طالب وفد حمـ.اس بإلزام الاحـ.تلال بما تم الاتفاق عليه يوم 2 تموز، والمبني على ما ورد في خطاب بايدن وقرار…
Read more: Turkish minister slams US, 'Israel' for blocking ceasefire in Gaza
Diplomatic efforts were originally intended to facilitate a ceasefire between Hamas and "Israel," with various mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the US, working to broker an agreement based on Biden's proposed plan.
However, these efforts have shifted focus following the introduction of new conditions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some of which include the establishment of a permanent Israeli military presence in the Rafah area.
Consequently, the focus of diplomatic talks has shifted away from direct engagement with Hamas and towards broader discussions involving security arrangements along the Egyptian-Palestinian border, particularly with Egypt over the Philadelphi Corridor.
