Hamas Announces Its Readiness for Ceasefire
The Palestinian group based in Gaza has communicated to international mediators its willingness to engage in an armistice with Israel. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Gaza-based group has placed the blame on Israel for the unsuccessful outcome of previous negotiations.
The Palestinian militant organization Hamas has reportedly communicated to several international mediators its willingness to pursue an armistice with Israel, especially in light of a recently announced truce in Lebanon.
This US-brokered ceasefire stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon within a 60-day timeframe, along with the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas formerly controlled by Hezbollah.
“Hamas appreciates the right of Lebanon and Hezbollah to reach an agreement that protects the people of Lebanon and we hope that this agreement will pave the way to reaching an agreement that ends the war of genocide against our people in Gaza,” stated Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday.
He further remarked that Hamas has demonstrated “high flexibility” and is “interested in reaching an agreement that ends the war in Gaza,” but noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears disinterested in this approach.
An unnamed Hamas official expressed to AFP that the group has conveyed to Egypt, Türkiye, and Qatar its readiness for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal regarding the exchange of prisoners.
The proposed ceasefire would also entail “the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the return of the displaced, and the achievement of a real and complete prisoner exchange deal,” as mentioned in a statement released earlier on Wednesday.
In response, Netanyahu has characterized the ceasefire in Lebanon as Hezbollah abandoning Hamas and allowing Israel to “increase pressure” on Gaza.
“From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own,” the Israeli prime minister remarked on Tuesday, asserting that the primary aim of the truce is to “separate the fronts and isolate Hamas.”
“We are of course committed to completing the annihilation of Hamas,” he added.
Israeli media reports indicate that two hardliners within Netanyahu’s cabinet—Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—oppose any ceasefire with Hamas and are advocating for a complete occupation of Gaza by West Jerusalem.
Israel declared war on Hamas following a series of attacks launched by the militant group from Gaza on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 Israelis and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Israeli authorities suspect that 97 of the hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of 34 individuals who have been confirmed deceased.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
The Palestinian militant organization Hamas has reportedly communicated to several international mediators its willingness to pursue an armistice with Israel, especially in light of a recently announced truce in Lebanon.
This US-brokered ceasefire stipulates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon within a 60-day timeframe, along with the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas formerly controlled by Hezbollah.
“Hamas appreciates the right of Lebanon and Hezbollah to reach an agreement that protects the people of Lebanon and we hope that this agreement will pave the way to reaching an agreement that ends the war of genocide against our people in Gaza,” stated Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday.
He further remarked that Hamas has demonstrated “high flexibility” and is “interested in reaching an agreement that ends the war in Gaza,” but noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears disinterested in this approach.
An unnamed Hamas official expressed to AFP that the group has conveyed to Egypt, Türkiye, and Qatar its readiness for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal regarding the exchange of prisoners.
The proposed ceasefire would also entail “the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the return of the displaced, and the achievement of a real and complete prisoner exchange deal,” as mentioned in a statement released earlier on Wednesday.
In response, Netanyahu has characterized the ceasefire in Lebanon as Hezbollah abandoning Hamas and allowing Israel to “increase pressure” on Gaza.
“From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own,” the Israeli prime minister remarked on Tuesday, asserting that the primary aim of the truce is to “separate the fronts and isolate Hamas.”
“We are of course committed to completing the annihilation of Hamas,” he added.
Israeli media reports indicate that two hardliners within Netanyahu’s cabinet—Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—oppose any ceasefire with Hamas and are advocating for a complete occupation of Gaza by West Jerusalem.
Israel declared war on Hamas following a series of attacks launched by the militant group from Gaza on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 Israelis and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Israeli authorities suspect that 97 of the hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of 34 individuals who have been confirmed deceased.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
