Gaza: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has expressed its readiness to participate in a new and serious round of negotiations aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas in Gaza and the group’s chief negotiator, confirmed on Thursday that discussions with mediators are ongoing, as per a report by the Al Jazeera.
In a recorded address, al-Hayya clarified that Hamas did not reject the latest proposal by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Instead, the group submitted constructive observations and proposed amendments. According to him, these adjustments were intended to prevent future violations by the Israeli occupation, including killings, military incursions, and the forced displacement of civilians. They also sought to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid and relief into Gaza.
Significantly, al-Hayya announced Hamas’ readiness to immediately transfer the governance of Gaza to a professional, nationally agreed-upon Palestinian body.
“We are diligently working with all sides to reach an agreement grounded in our unwavering commitment to the legitimate rights and demands of our people. Our goal is a comprehensive ceasefire, complete withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, immediate humanitarian assistance, and an end to the long-standing blockade,” he emphasized.
Al-Hayya placed the blame for the deadlock squarely on the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of deliberately prolonging the war for personal and ideological reasons.
He added that despite Israel’s intransigence, Hamas had shown consistent flexibility. “We accepted most of the proposals since hostilities resumed in March, including a mediator’s offer at the end of March to release five captives and move to the second phase of the January agreement. But Israel rejected them.”
Furthermore, he revealed that Hamas had even offered a comprehensive deal involving the release of all captives in exchange for a full end to the war—again declined by Israel.
As a goodwill gesture, Hamas had recently released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander. Al-Hayya mentioned that a new proposal from Witkoff last week suggested the release of 10 live captives and 18 bodies over seven days. However, it failed to provide any assurances against the resumption of military actions beyond the agreed period. “Netanyahu openly declared his intention to resume the war after recovering the captives,” al-Hayya noted.
He strongly criticized Israel’s insistence on controlling humanitarian aid through a military mechanism that international organizations have deemed illegal under international law.
“Israel’s continuation of its massacres—even of those desperately searching for food in places like Rafah—has only been possible due to ongoing military and political backing, particularly the repeated use of the US veto at the UN Security Council to block resolutions demanding an end to the blockade and the urgent entry of aid into Gaza,” he said.
The United States has vetoed four Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza—in October 2023, December 2023, February 2024, and November 2024—and has abstained from voting on others.
Since launching its offensive in Gaza in October 2023, Israel’s relentless campaign has killed over 54,600 Palestinians, the vast majority of them women and children. Aid organizations continue to sound alarms about the growing threat of famine among the strip’s more than two million inhabitants.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) last November issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its military operations targeting civilians.
