Hamas stated on Tuesday that it is committed to reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan, but emphasized that it still has a list of demands. This signals that the indirect negotiations with Israel in Egypt may be difficult and lengthy.
- Fawzi Barhoum, a senior Hamas official, outlined the group’s position on the second anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel in 2023, which triggered the subsequent conflict.
- The talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, are considered the most promising so far for ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated Gaza since October 7, 2023. That day, 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage.
Barhoum said, “The [Hamas] delegation participating in the current talks in Egypt is working to overcome all obstacles to reach an agreement that fulfills the aspirations of our people in Gaza.”
Key Hamas Demands:
- Full ceasefire and end of hostilities.
- Complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza – a demand Israel has never accepted.
- Comprehensive reconstruction of Gaza under the supervision of a Palestinian national administrative body.
- Hamas rejects any call for disarmament, a key Israeli condition.
In addition, Palestinian factions, including Hamas, issued a statement reaffirming their right to resist and asserting that no one can surrender the arms of the Palestinian people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented on the status of the negotiations.
U.S. and International Mediation:
- U.S. officials indicated a focus on stopping the fighting and coordinating the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
- Qatar, acting as a mediator, emphasized that negotiations involve many complex details, suggesting that a full agreement is not imminent.
The talks highlight a delicate balance: while there is a serious effort to end the war, core disputes over security, disarmament, and territorial control remain unresolved.
