CAIRO, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan) Hamas leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya has expressed confidence that the Gaza ceasefire agreement will succeed and hold until the end.
“We are determined to see the agreement through to its end,” Hayya said in an interview with Al-Qahera News in the Egyptian capital. His remarks were broadcast early Tuesday.
Hayya added that the agreement “will survive because we want it to succeed, and our commitment to it is strong,” pointing to the international efforts that contributed to reaching the deal.
Hayya lauded the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye, noting that “the international will and the major event hosted by Egypt and president Abdul-Fattah as-Sisi in the presence of US president Donald Trump serve as the guarantee that the war in Gaza has come to an end.”
Hayya stressed that the international gathering, hosted by Egypt and attended by Trump, reflected a global will to end the war on Gaza.
“All the assurances we have received from the mediators and the US president reassure us that the war has ended with no return,” he added.
Commenting on the issue of the remains of several Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip, Hayya affirmed that his Movement is serious about retrieving and handing over all the bodies as stated by the agreement.
“We have no interest or desire to keep anyone,” he said.
“Their remains should be returned to their families, just as the remains of our martyrs should be returned to their families and buried with dignity,” Hayya added.
“We are finding it extremely difficult to recover the bodies because the nature of the ground has changed, and some are under the rubble,” he clarified.
He explained that due to the extensive destruction in the Strip, retrieving them “requires time and large equipment, but with determination and will — God willing — we will complete this file to the fullest.”
The Palestinian leader voiced hope for increased humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip that would adequately meet the needs of its residents.
He urged mediators to intensify efforts to expand assistance as winter approaches, especially with regard to shelter and medical supplies.
