DOHA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Movement in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Khalil al-Hayya, told Al Jazeera that Hamas is ready for real negotiations to conclude a prisoner exchange deal and to end the war.
“We are ready for real negotiations if Netanyahu abides by the truce outlines put forward late last month by US President Joe Biden,” he said.
“We hope that the mediators will succeed in getting Israel to reach a deal and end the war,” he added.
The senior Hamas official said that the recent comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about only accepting a “partial” cease-fire deal have confirmed that the Israeli premier does not want a cease-fire or the release of captives.
Khalil al-Hayya said Netanyahu wants to free the captives and then resume Israel’s campaign in the Gaza Strip, but Hamas “is ready and serious” for real negotiations if Netanyahu abides by the truce outlines put forward late last month by US President Joe Biden.
Al-Hayya reiterated Hamas’s conditions for any deal that would include a permanent cease-fire and full Israeli withdrawal, return of displaced people to their homes, relief and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and a prisoner exchange deal.
“We are a people on its land and a resistance defending its land. If the occupation (Israel) announces it is achieving its goals, let it do so and let it say what it wants, and the field can validate and falsify,” he further added.
He added, “If Israel wants to convince itself that it is done, it should exit the Strip,” in response to a question about the Israeli army’s remarks on dismantling Hamas during the interview.
