Hamas seeks full Israeli withdrawal, aid in Gaza truce talks
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Hamas confirms flexibility in Gaza ceasefire talks, calls for Israeli withdrawal and sustained aid flow, as Doha negotiations stall over key demands.
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An Israeli captive is escorted by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025. (AP)
The Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas confirmed Wednesday evening that its leadership is continuing “intensive and responsible” efforts to ensure the success of ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a comprehensive ceasefire agreement to end the Israeli regime’s devastating war on Gaza.
In an official statement, Hamas stressed its commitment to reaching an agreement that would guarantee the urgent and sustained flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis, and bring an end to the aggression that began on October 7, 2023.
The group affirmed it has been “working seriously and positively” with mediators to overcome obstacles in the talks, despite what it described as the intransigence of the Israeli occupation. Hamas emphasized that it had shown the “necessary flexibility” in pursuit of a successful outcome, including agreeing to release 10 Israeli captives held in Gaza as part of a broader agreement.
However, the movement made it clear that key issues remain under negotiation, particularly the permanent and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, the full withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of a complete and lasting ceasefire.
Israeli withdrawal stalling talks
A senior Palestinian official speaking to Al Mayadeen revealed that the issue of Israeli withdrawal continues to stall progress in the Doha negotiations. “The withdrawal point is still unresolved, and it is directly linked to the aid mechanism, and vice versa,” the official said.
The source added that the Israeli military refuses to withdraw from several strategic areas, including Rafah, eastern Khan Younis, eastern Gaza City, and Tal al-Zaatar in the northern part of the Strip. Furthermore, the occupation insists on maintaining control over the aid entry points it has established during the conflict, a mechanism the Palestinian Resistance unequivocally rejects.
On the diplomatic front, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour overnight meeting with the Qatari delegation at the White House to advance discussions on a Gaza ceasefire. The talks follow a second meeting in 24 hours between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hamas submits unified ceasefire response
Hamas announced on Saturday that it has completed wide-ranging consultations with fellow Palestinian factions and submitted a joint response to mediators on the latest ceasefire framework aimed at halting the Israeli occupation’s war on the Gaza Strip.
In a statement issued by its National Relations Office, Hamas said it held “an extensive series of contacts” with leaders of national and Islamic factions to coordinate and agree on a single position regarding the proposal’s terms and the mechanisms for implementation.
The talks, described as “serious and practical,” produced what the movement called a “unified national consensus” backing the stance of the Palestinian Resistance.
“All factions welcomed this unified reply,” the statement noted, adding that the response was forwarded to mediators “in a positive spirit and with full unanimity” after both internal and external consultations were finalized.
