Doha: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced on Monday that discussions held with mediators and a US envoy in Qatar focused on terminating the Israeli conflict in Gaza, orchestrating troop withdrawal, and planning the reconstruction of the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou stated that the group approached the mediators' efforts and US President Donald Trump's envoy with flexibility. They are now awaiting the results of upcoming negotiations and Israel's adherence to the Gaza ceasefire deal, with hopes of transitioning to its second phase. The conversations with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, alongside Trump's envoy, were centered on ending the conflict, facilitating withdrawal, and reconstructing the area.
In an interview with Israeli public broadcaster KAN on Sunday, US envoy Adam Boehler revealed that Hamas had suggested a truce lasting between five to ten years, during which it would disarm and withdraw from Gaza's political scene. However, Hamas did not comment on the US envoy's statements.
Qanou emphasized that Hamas has fully complied with the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement. He highlighted that their current focus is on providing shelter and aid to Gaza's population and ensuring a lasting ceasefire. He criticized Israeli threats to resume hostilities and the electricity cut-off to Gaza as ineffective strategies that endanger captives, who he asserted would only be released through negotiations.
Israel's decision to cut off electricity to Gaza on Sunday marks the latest effort to intensify the blockade on the enclave, despite the existing ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. Last week, Israel halted humanitarian aid to Gaza, prompting warnings from local and human rights organizations about a looming crisis of widespread hunger among the Palestinian population.
The initial six-week phase of the ceasefire deal concluded in early March without Israel agreeing to transition to the second phase or halt hostilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to prolong the first phase of the prisoner exchange to secure the release of more Israeli captives without meeting the military or humanitarian commitments outlined in the agreement, a move aimed at satisfying hardliners within his administration.
Hamas opposes this strategy, insisting that Israel honor the ceasefire terms and urging mediators to expedite negotiations for the second phase. This next phase calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal and an end to the conflict.
The ceasefire agreement has been in place since January, temporarily halting Israel's offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in nearly 48,500 deaths, predominantly affecting women and children, and has devastated the region.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.