GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center)Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, confirmed that no progress had been made in the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip, noting that the Israeli delegation that arrived in Doha had not presented anything new and that the mediators had conveyed to Hamas a previous Israeli offer which had been already rejected by the Movement.
In a press statement on Thursday, Naim stressed that Hamas has confirmed its readiness to cooperate to end the war and engage in a political process leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, expressing the Movement’s willingness to relinquish the government and immediately hand over the administration of Gaza to any agreed upon Palestinian body.
He pointed to the need to force Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to open the crossings and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza in order to create a constructive negotiating environment, warning that the continuation of the siege would deepen the catastrophe and undermine the chances for a political solution.
Coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East, ceasefire negotiations are witnessing intense activity by mediators in Qatar and Egypt, with US participation.
The Israeli negotiating delegation, headed by deputy head of Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet), is continuing its talks in Qatar, accompanied by US envoy Steve Witkoff and the US administration’s official responsible for prisoners and missing persons, Adam Boehler, according to a Yedioth Ahronoth report on Wednesday evening.
This came after Hamas released Edan Alexander, a dual United States-Israeli national and soldier, following contacts with Washington as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire.
Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its readiness to begin comprehensive negotiations for the release of Israeli captives in one batch in exchange for an end to the genocide, the withdrawal of the occupation army, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
However, Netanyahu is evading these demands by imposing new conditions to serve his own political interests, particularly remaining in power, according to accusations by the families of Israeli prisoners and the opposition.
