GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Hossam Badran, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, confirmed that the Movement does not rely heavily on US Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to Cairo or on reaching any imminent agreement. The Movement is fully aware that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is obstructing all efforts aimed at agreeing on a ceasefire. He is doing everything he can to “hinder a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
Badran explained that “Hamas and Palestinian factions focus on ensuring that any agreement achieves a comprehensive ceasefire, a full withdrawal from Gaza, the return of displaced individuals, reconstruction, in addition to a prisoner exchange deal.”
He added that the Movement is serious about the negotiation issue and is keen to reach an agreement that “ends the suffering of our people.” He emphasized that Netanyahu and his extremist government deliberately disrupt reaching a ceasefire agreement, noting that there is no direct communication between the Movement and the U.S. administration, but rather through intermediaries, as they are not a neutral party but are involved in the conflict.
Badran stated that reaching any agreement requires the United States to exert significant pressure on Netanyahu, especially since Hamas remains committed to the agreement outlined in the July 2 document, which is primarily based on US President Joe Biden’s speech and the United Nations Security Council resolution.
Blinken earlier said that “A ceasefire is the best solution to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to halt escalation in the region.” In a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdel Atti, in Cairo, he mentioned that 15 out of 18 points in the proposed ceasefire agreement had been agreed upon, but the remaining issues require resolution, considering that solving the remaining issues in the agreement is more a matter of political will than anything else.
Blinken added that they provided ideas to both the Egyptian and Qatari sides regarding reaching an agreement, noting that the parties also discussed details about “the day after war”, governance in Gaza, and reconstruction, considering that the most important factor is the political will to reach an agreement.
In a related context, Hamas responded to the new proposal circulated by Israeli media regarding an agreement in Gaza. They said that the Israeli government submitted it to the United States, which includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for a “safe passage,” as described, for the Movement’s political bureau head, Yahya Al Sinwar, to exit the enclave.
Hamas negotiating delegation member Ghazi Hamad confirmed in press statements that the Movement rejects any new proposal, except for the proposal presented on July 2 through the Biden administration.
These statements from the Hamas negotiating delegation member came in response to reports from the Hebrew radio station “Kan Reshet Bet” on Thursday, regarding the new Israeli proposal submitted to the United States, which includes the release of all Israeli detainees in one batch in exchange for a safe passage for Sinwar and those who wish to accompany him out of the Gaza Strip, the release of some Palestinian prisoners, disarmament of the enclave, the implementation of a new governance mechanism in Gaza, and the end of the war.
Hamad replied, “This is, of course, a ridiculous proposal that reflects the negotiating bankruptcy of the occupation and its denial of what has transpired over the past eight months of negotiations,” adding, “The negotiations are indeed stalled due to the rigidity of the Israeli position.”
In this context, Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha stated in a special comment to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that “what the occupation is trying to promote regarding the exit of the Movement’s leaders has no place or presence in Hamas’s agenda, our people’s agenda, and our valiant resistance.”
Taha confirmed that “Hamas is committed to what was agreed upon on July 2 and demands the establishment of executive mechanisms and practical measures leading to a ceasefire and the end of the aggression. Thus, we are not in a position to consider new proposals or agreements that serve the agenda of the occupation and its criminal projects and the continuation of its aggression.” He added that “the international community must bear its responsibilities and stop the series of massacres, crimes, and genocide against our people.”
