Cairo: Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya called Tuesday for 'real' guarantees to ensure an end to Israel's war on the Gaza Strip. 'We affirm our full readiness to reach (a deal to) end the war, withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, and release all Israeli captives - both alive and dead - in exchange for Palestinian prisoners specified under (US President Donald) Trump's plan,' al-Hayya told Egypt's state-run Al-Qahera News channel.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Hamas chief emphasized that Israel violated the first ceasefire deal in November 2023 and resumed the war. Al-Hayya accused the Israeli occupation of continuing to kill and block aid, especially in northern Gaza, even after Hamas announced its approval of Trump's plan. He stated, 'Israel has never honored its promises throughout history,' and expressed a lack of trust in Israel by insisting on 'real guarantees' from the international community, President Trump, and negotiating states.

Al-Hayya reiterated that Hamas aims to fulfill the 'goals and aspirations of the Palestinian people for stability, freedom, statehood, and self-determination.' He stressed the necessity of ending the war permanently to allow Palestinians to live in stability like other regional populations.

Hamas and Israel engaged in a second day of indirect negotiations in Egypt's Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Tuesday. These talks aim to reach a ceasefire and prisoner exchange based on Trump's Gaza plan. The plan, unveiled on September 29, includes proposals for the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, Hamas's disarmament, and the rebuilding of Gaza. Hamas has agreed to the plan in principle.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of nearly 67,200 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, since October 2023. The continuous bombardment has left Gaza nearly uninhabitable, causing widespread displacement, starvation, and the spread of disease.