GAZA,(Palestine Foundation Information Center) Senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nunu confirmed that ceasefire negotiations regarding the Gaza Strip have been stalled due to a decision made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In press statements on Thursday, Al-Nunu said that the last round of negotiations at the end of last month between Hamas and Israel had nearly reached a final agreement to end the aggression on Gaza.
He added that the negotiations were halted by Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes committed in Gaza, and with the backing of US Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff, following the withdrawal of both the American and Israeli delegations.
Al-Nunu pointed out that Netanyahu is deceiving the Israeli public, claiming that the release of captives is a top priority, while in practice, he pursues contradictory goals, such as calling for the occupation of Gaza and rejecting any return to the negotiating table, instead placing obstacles in the way.
He explained that Hamas is ready to immediately engage in negotiations if sufficient humanitarian aid and food supplies are allowed into Gaza, a step that would end Israel’s starvation policy.
He further noted that Hamas leadership is “in daily contact with our brothers and mediators in Qatar and Egypt regarding the entry of aid and the needs of Gaza in a sufficient and dignified manner,” adding that both countries are making “positive efforts to ensure that as much aid as possible reaches our people in the Strip.”
Al-Nunu stressed that Hamas is actively working on multiple regional and international levels to achieve two main goals: the delivery of humanitarian aid and a full end to the war of starvation and genocide against the Palestinian people. This effort, he said, builds on the movement’s long-standing relations with Arab and Islamic nations, especially with the brotherly countries of Qatar and Egypt.
Regarding accusations that Hamas is beholden to regional powers, Al-Nunu affirmed that the Movement’s decisions are “completely independent and based on the interests of the Palestinian people.”
He denied any claims of Iranian or other foreign interference, saying, “Such allegations are entirely baseless and false.” He emphasized that “Hamas maintains good relations with Iran, Arab and Islamic countries, and many components of the Muslim nation, but not on the basis of interfering in the Movement’s decisions or positions.”
