Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations Continue: Hamas Responds to Israel’s Plan, Prioritizes Stopping Aggression

On Tuesday, two senior Hamas officials announced that the Palestinian Islamist movement had officially responded to Egyptian and Qatari mediators regarding Israel’s ceasefire plan. While they did not reveal whether or not Hamas had accepted the plan, they emphasized the importance of a “total stop of aggression” in Gaza.

A senior Hamas official spoke on condition of anonymity, confirming that Hamas had officially transmitted its response to the mediators. The response prioritizes the interests of the Palestinian people and calls for a complete halt to the ongoing aggression in Gaza. Hamas and Islamic Jihad issued a joint statement expressing readiness to engage positively to reach an agreement that would end the conflict.

Discussions will continue through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, in coordination with the United States. The UN Security Council adopted a draft American resolution supporting the ceasefire plan, urging both parties to implement its terms without delay. American Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Israeli Prime Minister Yair Netanyahu had reaffirmed his commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza, but noted that Hamas had not yet accepted the proposal. While Israel had not formally accepted the roadmap for a ceasefire presented by President Biden, Hamas welcomed certain elements of the resolution. The truce project involves three phases aimed at ending the conflict and initiating reconstruction efforts with US support.