US-Israeli proposals do not include permanent ceasefire: Source
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A Palestinian source tells Al Mayadeen that Hamas believes the US wants to exploit partial initiatives only for the benefit of election campaigns.
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An Israeli army tank maneuvers near the Gaza border in southern occupied Palestine, on October 20, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli and US proposals regarding a deal on Gaza lack provisions for a permanent ceasefire or a complete withdrawal from the Strip, a Palestinian source told Al Mayadeen on Thursday.
Instead, the proposal entails 10 days of calm in exchange for the release of four Israeli captives, including two women, in exchange for the release of an unspecified number of Palestinian detainees, according to the approved mechanism.
The proposal also stipulates the entry of about 300 aid trucks daily into Gaza.
The source stressed that Hamas believes the US wants to exploit partial initiatives to benefit election campaigns only. Meanwhile, upcoming meetings are planned between Fatah and Hamas to resume discussions on managing the Gaza Strip and forming a special committee with mutual approval from both parties.
Netanyahu 'buying time' with Gaza deal negotiations: Hamas official
On Wednesday, Taher al-Nounou, a senior Hamas official told Al Mayadeen that in any negotiations, the movement's goal is to stop the war on the Gaza Strip while "Israel" merely seeks a prisoner exchange.
Al-Nounou stressed that any potential agreement must include a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction of the Strip, an end to the blockade, and a captive-prisoner exchange.
According to the official, prioritizing a prisoner exchange alone would not necessarily lead to a lasting ceasefire.
The Palestinian official argued that current discussions regarding a deal are merely a waste of time, under the guise of negotiations in preparation for the coming US elections.
Al-Nounou said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aim with these proposals is to "buy time", which he sees as "part of a local or US election campaign."
"We have no veto on listening to mediators if they have any proposals," the Hamas official reiterated but underlined that the movement had made it clear that it opposes a temporary pause of hostilities and the resumption of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The Palestinian official clarified that openness to offers is distinct from agreeing to them, particularly "if they fail to meet the resistance's four core demands," affirming, "If we are invited to hear new proposals, we will certainly attend."
His statements echoed those of the movement's spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri, who confirmed on Tuesday that Hamas has responded to requests from mediators to discuss new proposals regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Several meetings have already occurred on this matter, with more scheduled to follow, Abu Zuhri indicated.
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