BEIRUT, (Palestine Foundation Information Center) A source familiar with the course of negotiations has denied that the Hamas Movement has approved the new maps presented by the Israeli side as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
The source explained that the mediators have indeed received the withdrawal maps from the Israeli side, noting that while they contain some convergence with the Movement’s demands, they remain insufficient and do not meet the minimum requirements of Hamas.
The source, speaking on Thursday, indicated that mediators will continue their efforts with both sides in an attempt to bridge the gap and reach a consensus regarding these maps.
According to the same source, the current priority centers around reaching an understanding on three key issues: the free entry of humanitarian aid, the withdrawal maps from the Gaza Strip, and the provision of necessary guarantees to achieve a permanent and comprehensive end to the war.
The source also revealed that negotiations have not yet entered the stage of discussing prisoner exchange, clarifying that this file will not be opened until clear understandings are reached on the three aforementioned issues.
Earlier last week, Israel presented a redeployment map for the Gaza Strip that includes maintaining its military forces in more than 40 percent of the territory—an arrangement the Palestinian resistance movement categorically rejects.
Israeli occupation forces continue, meanwhile, their genocidal war on the Gaza Strip for the 650th day, killing and starving people with American political and military support, amid international silence.
