GAZA, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan)Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said that what is happening today marks the end of Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, affirming that the Movement is coordinating with mediators to implement the ceasefire agreement reached after more than two years of unprecedented destruction and humanitarian suffering.
In a statement to Al Jazeera on Thursday, Qassem said that Hamas had reached a formula for a ceasefire agreement “and left it to the mediators to announce the timing.”
He added that Israel, as usual, is trying to stall and manipulate the agreed-upon schedules, lists, and procedures in an attempt to portray Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as being in control of events.
Qassem stressed that ending the war was Hamas’s central goal throughout all rounds of negotiations, emphasizing that the Movement would not allow Israel “to evade its commitments or circumvent the terms of the agreement.”
He continued, “We are in continuous contact with the mediators to compel Israel to adhere to what was agreed upon and to prevent any stalling. There had been talks with our friends about declaring the ceasefire at noon today, but the Israel, for internal reasons, is delaying the announcement.”
He underscored the need for mediators to ensure Israel’s compliance with the agreement and to prevent any deliberate delay in implementing the agreed upon steps, saying, “Israel continues its last attempts to disrupt our people, whether regarding the withdrawal or other implementation measures, but we are working with the guarantor countries to ensure the full execution of the agreement.”
Qassem affirmed that the ceasefire agreement marks the beginning of a new phase for the people of Gaza, after more than two years of war that left hundreds of thousands of martyrs and wounded, and millions displaced. He noted that this popular resilience is what forced the end of the aggression and restored hope for life once again.
He concluded by expressing his appreciation to the steadfast masses of the Palestinian people in Gaza, praising “the great sacrifice made by the people, children, women, and men alike, who faced the greatest human crime in modern history with legendary steadfastness that thwarted the plans of displacement.”
