Hamas willing to negotiate without abandoning core values: Exclusive

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
17 May 2025 23:17

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi confirms that Hamas continues showing utmost flexibility, leaving "Israel" with no excuse to reject a ceasefire proposal.

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Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi speaks to Al Mayadeen on May 17, 2025 (Screengrab)

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi affirmed that the movement’s position on indirect negotiations with the Israeli occupation is clear, emphasizing its readiness to engage in dialogue without compromising on fundamental principles, foremost among them the end of the war on Gaza.

In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, Mardawi confirmed that Hamas is actively participating in the negotiations in Doha, seeking to reach an agreement. However, he noted that the outcome remains dependent on the seriousness of the Israeli side.

هل من المحتمل أن نشهد وقفًا لإطلاق النار في غزة خلال الساعات أو الأيام القليلة المقبلة؟ وما العوامل التي قد تحسم ذلك؟

القيادي في حركة حماس محمود مرداوي لـ #الميادين #غزة pic.twitter.com/JR7945PmGL
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 17, 2025

Talks in Doha gain momentum without preconditions

Mardawi highlighted that the current negotiations are taking place without preconditions, which has given the process a distinct momentum.

"The occupation can no longer claim that a comprehensive agreement is impossible," he said, pointing out that procedural obstacles previously imposed by the occupation to obstruct negotiations have been removed.

Last week, a senior Palestinian official confirmed that the Hamas Resistance movement is engaged in discussions with the US administration over a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

According to the official, who spoke to Reuters, the talks mark a rare direct channel of communication between Hamas and Washington, reflecting growing international pressure to halt the months-long aggression on Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding on the ground.

A Hamas official also told AFP that direct talks have taken place in the Qatari capital, Doha, between representatives of the Palestinian Resistance group and American officials. The official stated that “progress has been made toward a ceasefire in Gaza,” while noting that negotiations were ongoing.

Israeli genocide continues

Since "Israel" launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, nearly all of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once.

A blockade on all aid into Gaza by "Israel" that has lasted for over two months has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 3,000 people have been killed since "Israel" resumed its war in mid-March, bringing the total death toll from the war to more than 52,000 Palestinians.