Hamas says approaching new round of Gaza ceasefire talks positively

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
12 Mar 2025 13:37

The Palestinian group says "Israel" has reneged on the ceasefire agreement, contradicting international will and the efforts of mediators working to solidify the deal and end the war.

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Red Cross cars arrive at the site for the handover of Israeli captives by Hamas in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday, February 22, 2025. (AP)

A new round of ceasefire negotiations has begun, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem announced on Wednesday, emphasizing that the Palestinian group is approaching these talks with full responsibility and positivity, including discussions with the US envoy for captive affairs Adam Boehler.

Qassem expressed Hamas' hope that this round of negotiations would yield significant progress toward initiating the second phase of the deal, which could lead to the complete halt of the war on Gaza, the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the enclave, and the completion of a prisoner exchange deal between "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance.

The first phase of a ceasefire concerning the release of some Israeli captives ended earlier this month, but the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel" are now in disagreement over when to transition into the second phase, which aims for a complete end to the war on the Gaza Strip.

While "Israel" wants to extend the first phase until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on moving to the second phase, which is aimed at achieving a permanent end to the war.

During this phase, the Resistance released 25 living captives and the bodies of eight others in exchange for approximately 1,800 Palestinian detainees and prisoners held in Israeli occupation prisons.

Of the 251 individuals taken captive on October 7, 2023, 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli military has confirmed as dead.

Last week, US President Donald Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas, threatening additional destruction in Gaza if all remaining captives were not released.

Meanwhile, another Hamas spokesperson, Abdel Latif al-Qanoua, pointed out that the Israeli occupation has reneged on the ceasefire agreement, contradicting international will and the efforts of mediators working to solidify the deal and end the war.

He further asserted that Hamas has demonstrated flexibility and engaged positively in all negotiation stages, reaffirming its commitment to holding the Israeli occupation accountable to the agreement and achieving the demands of the Palestinian people.

Al-Qanoua also noted that Hamas is awaiting new steps in the Doha negotiations, which aim to implement the second phase of the agreement, resume aid entry, and ensure an end to the war.

On Tuesday, a senior Palestinian Resistance official told Al Mayadeen that the Israeli delegation’s negotiations with Qatari mediators in Doha have not resulted in any progress.

The senior official held the Israeli side responsible for the deadlock, citing the delegation’s insistence on avoiding discussions about the second phase of negotiations.

According to the source, the Israeli delegation has demanded the release of a large number of captives in exchange for the release of a limited number of Palestinian prisoners.

Additionally, the delegation has requested an extension of the first phase of the agreement without moving forward with further negotiations.

Exclusive: US interested in direct talks with Hamas

A leader in the Palestinian Resistance divulged to Al Mayadeen on Tuesday that the United States is "interested in direct communication with Hamas, but within specific expectations," as Americans do not want to allow the Palestinian Resistance to benefit from this direct communication with the current administration.

The Palestinian leader pointed out that the American envoys confirmed the ability of US President Donald Trump to "force Israel to stop the war and reach an agreement with Hamas." They believe that Hamas' release of the Israeli-American captive could change Trump's convictions.