Palestinian Resistance to reconsider negotiating strategy: Hamas

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Hamas Media Office
10 May 2024 22:22

Hamas releases an important statement amid Israeli rejection of a ceasefire deal.

Al-Qassam fighters attend a funeral in the Rafah refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine, on August 17, 2017. (AP)

The Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas has put out a statement regarding the ongoing mediated talks with the Israeli occupation, saying that it will hold talks with other Palestinian Resistance factions to look into its negotiating strategy.

This comes after the Israeli negotiating team, under the directives of the Israeli regime, refused a comprehensive deal proposed by mediators. Hamas has already agreed to the deal on Monday, which was formulated by mediators following rounds of negotiations.

On the other hand, "Israel" has rejected the proposal, as its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that his government will not accept a deal that entails a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

As such, Hamas had sent yet another negotiating team to Cairo which headed to Doha, Qatar, at a later time to work on reaching another formula that would guarantee Palestinian demands.

Earlier the movement announced that the Israeli occupation rejected the latest proposal presented by the mediators for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a prisoner exchange deal.

White House: Gaps on Gaza ceasefire can still be surmounted

The White House stated on Friday that although direct negotiations on a ceasefire in exchange for the of the captives in Gaza had ended without a deal for the time being, the US still believes the remaining obstacles can be overcome.

Speaking to reporters, White House National Security Secretary John Kirby stated that the US is keeping a close eye on "Israel's" actions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and wants the crossing to reopen as soon as possible.

Israeli hurdles, maneuvers prompt Hamas to reconsider strategy

In this context, Hamas put out a press release saying that it will hold talks with Palestinian Resistance factions to reconsider its negotiating strategy.

The group reiterated that its negotiating team expressed the "necessary flexibility to facilitate reaching an agreement" that would achieve its five-points-based demands. This includes a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, the free return of all forcibly displaced Palestinians to their homes in the besieged territory, a serious prisoner exchange deal, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

However, the movement said that "Israel's" rejection of the mediators' proposal, has pushed matters "back to square one."

It also pointed to the Israeli military's direct attack on Rafah and its occupation of the border crossing, just after the movement announced that it accepted the mediators' deal. Hamas said that the action confirms that the Israeli occupation is "avoiding reaching an agreement."

As for the Netanyahu-led government, Hamas said that it is taking advantage of the negotiations process to "cover its attack on Rafah."

"In light of Netanyahu's behavior, his rejection of the mediators' proposal, the attack on Rafah, and the occupation of the crossing, the movement's leadership will hold consultations with the leaders of the Palestinian Resistance factions in order to reconsider our negotiating strategy," the statement read.