Netanyahu sabotaged deal; no more futile negotiations: Hamas official
7 Min Read
The expert on Palestinian Resistance, Hani al-Dali, says that what is happening in the Gaza ceasefire talks is an attempt to delay the expected response of the Axis of Resistance to the Israeli assassinations.
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Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, speaks to Al Mayadeen, on August 16, 2024. (Al Mayadeen)
"Israel" has thwarted the Doha negotiations regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and the efforts of mediators, said Ghazi Hamad, a member of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, adding that none of the disputed issues have been settled during the talks.
In an interview for Al Mayadeen on Friday, Hamad made it clear that no agreement can be reached without a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, the return of displaced people, and the completion of a prisoner exchange deal.
"No agreement can move forward without a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation, the return of displaced people, and a prisoner exchange."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 16, 2024
- A member of the political bureau of Hamas, Ghazi Hamad, to #AlMayadeen#GazaCeasefire #GazaGenocide #Gaza https://t.co/dEY64VrYZh
He affirmed that Hamas' stance is strong and unwavering and enjoys the full backing of Palestinian factions, adding, "We will no longer engage in futile negotiations."
The Hamas official accused Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deception, adding that he has not provided clear answers to the key questions needed to reach an agreement.
According to Hamad, Netanyahu is laying out new conditions and undermining previously agreed-upon terms with the aim of prolonging the war on Gaza.
"Netanyahu lays out new conditions and continues to demolish what had been agreed on. His goal is to prolong the war."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 16, 2024
- A member of the political bureau of Hamas, Ghazi Hamad, to #AlMayadeen#GazaCeasefire #GazaGenocide #Gaza https://t.co/uvYoPjYvUi
He also recalled that the Israeli premier has been unequivocal in stating that he has no intention to stop the war.
Resistance will not allow IOF presence in any part of Gaza
Touching on the proposed agreement, the Palestinian official said it contains no ambiguity, yet the Israeli side has been stalling in providing a response to what was presented on the table.
He noted that "Israel" introduced new conditions related to the key Philadelphi Route, despite previously agreeing to a full withdrawal from it.
"The Israeli occupation introduced new conditions related to the Philadelphia Axis, despite prior agreement on a complete Israeli withdrawal from it."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 16, 2024
- A member of the political bureau of Hamas, Ghazi Hamad, to #AlMayadeen#GazaCeasefire #GazaGenocide #Gaza https://t.co/wB8avtszVr
Hamad underlined that "the Resistance will not allow, under any circumstances, the presence of occupation forces in any part of Gaza," denying reports by The Wall Street Journal that "Israel" is ready to withdraw from the Philadelphi Route.
The Hamas official further explained that "Israel" is seeking to leave a loophole in the agreement, which enables it to continue its war later on, stressing that it is essential for mediators to pressure "Israel" to honor the previous agreements.
Negotiations path separate from Hezbollah, Iran’s response
Regarding Hezbollah and Iran's response to the Israeli assassinations of commander Fouad Shokor in Beirut's Southern Suburb and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Hamad asserted that both sides have every right to retaliate against Israeli crimes, stressing, however, that this path is separate from the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
He said that Washington is convinced that Netanyahu is an obstacle to reaching an agreement and must hold him accountable if the war in the region further escalates.
On Hezbollah’s role in supporting the Resistance in Gaza, the Palestinian official hailed the Lebanese group for over 10 months of fighting and for offering martyrs, adding that the Israeli occupation "only understands the language of force."
Elsewhere, Hamas called on Arab nations to break their silence and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, emphasizing that the ongoing Israeli violations are unprecedented.
US buying time to prepare defenses for Resistance's response: Al-Dali
In a related context, the expert on Palestinian Resistance Hani al-Dali told Al Mayadeen on Friday that Hamas' decision not to participate in the "absurd" ceasefire talks that took place this week in Doha was right.
Al-Dali pointed out that there is no genuine clause confirming that the negotiations were real, adding that the formulas used during the talks indicate an intent to waste time.
"It is clear that Netanyahu has rejected all mediator proposals for an agreement," he indicated, adding that postponing the meetings to next week gives the Israeli occupation more time to commit crimes and conduct genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
The expert considered that what is happening in the negotiations is an attempt to delay the expected response of the Axis of Resistance to the Israeli assassination of its commanders.
He explained that it has become apparent that the US and "Israel" are engaged in a role distribution system, where Washington provides cover for Netanyahu, his demands in the negotiations, as well as his attempts to hinder the talks.
Al-Dali said that Washington is trying to create a complex military and political reality in anticipation of the Axis of Resistance's awaited response to the Israeli assassinations.
He added that the United States is trying to buy time to prepare the strongest possible defenses against the anticipated response.
Elsewhere, the expert described the US support for the Israeli occupation entity as "a recipe for a regional war."
Earlier, the US, Qatar, and Egypt announced that senior officials from their governments will reconvene in Cairo before the end of next week with an aim to conclude a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and "Israel".
In a trilateral statement, the three nations confirmed that over the last 48 hours in Doha, senior American, Qatari, and Egyptian officials engaged in intensive talks as mediators aiming to conclude an agreement.
It is noteworthy that Hamas did not take part in the Doha talks and insists that the mediators compel the Israeli occupation entity to comply with the ceasefire agreement the movement approved on July 2 instead of engaging in new rounds of negotiations.
A senior Palestinian Resistance official told Al Mayadeen that the Doha negotiations did not yield any developments as “Israel” is clinging to its positions.
Moreover, a senior Hamas source also pointed out that what the movement's leadership was informed of Friday regarding the results of the Doha ceasefire meetings does not include a commitment to what was agreed upon on July 2.
Commenting on the talks, officials told AFP that Hamas will not accept "new conditions" from "Israel" in the proposal put forward during the talks in Doha.
An informed source highlighted that as part of the Israeli obstruction maneuver, "Israel" introduced "new" conditions, which include keeping troops inside Gaza along its border with Egypt, while Hamas, according to the source, demands "a complete ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from the Strip, a normal return of the displaced and a (prisoner) exchange deal" without restrictions.
"Israel" also demanded veto rights on the prisoners and detainees to be exchanged, as well as the ability to deport some of them rather than send them back to Gaza, the source said.
Later, Netanyahu called on the three mediators to "pressure" Hamas to accept a deal.
"Israel hopes that their pressure will lead Hamas to accept the May 27 principles, in order for the details of the agreement to be implemented," a statement from his office said, referring to the three-phase plan submitted to US President Joe Biden.
Read more: Differences 'remain big' between parties negotiating Gaza ceasefire
