Hamas has expressed its readiness to complete the remaining stages of a Gaza ceasefire deal as the first phase concludes. The group seeks a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and reconstruction while rejecting foreign governance. Negotiations have faced challenges with ongoing disagreements between Hamas and Israeli representatives, while international interest remains in stabilizing the region.
Hamas has declared its willingness to finalize the “remaining stages” of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as the initial phase concludes amid ambiguity regarding subsequent actions. The militant group expressed its commitment to achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, which includes the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, reconstruction efforts, and the lifting of the siege. This statement was made in a letter addressed to the Arab League summit scheduled for Tuesday.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which commenced on January 19, is set to expire, with ongoing negotiations for a permanent ceasefire yielding no consensus. Notably, the ceasefire emerged after over 15 months of conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent a delegation to Cairo, where discussions involving mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been described as “intensive.”
While negotiations continue, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem rejected the proposed extension of the first phase by Israel and called upon mediators to ensure compliance with the agreement. Hamas indicated its readiness to accept any mutually agreed options by the Palestinian factions but firmly opposed any imposition of foreign governance or forces in Gaza. This position comes in the wake of controversial proposals from U.S. officials regarding the future administration of the region.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked that Gaza’s future should fall under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, which currently exercises partial control in the West Bank. He added that various countries had extended offers to deploy security personnel to a post-conflict Gaza, reflecting international interest in stabilizing the region.
In summary, Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to progressing towards a complete ceasefire agreement in Gaza, expressing readiness to engage in further negotiations. However, disagreements with Israel persist, leading to an impasse in talks for the next phase. The group has articulated opposition to foreign involvement in Gaza’s governance, amidst international discussions on potential security arrangements for the territory.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
