Hamas Reiterates Readiness to Complete Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza
Gaza City: Hamas reiterated its readiness to go ahead with the "remaining stages" of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as the first phase drew to a close with uncertainty over the next steps.
Background
The ceasefire took effect on January 19, 2025, after more than 15 months of war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the deadliest in the country’s history. The first phase is due to expire on Saturday, but negotiations on the next stage, aiming to secure a permanent ceasefire, have so far been inconclusive.
Negotiations Stalled
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sent a delegation to Cairo, and mediator Egypt said "intensive talks" on the second phase had begun with the presence of delegations from Israel as well as fellow mediators Qatar and the US. However, by Saturday, there was no sign of consensus, and Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the group rejected "the extension of the first phase in the formulation proposed by the occupation (Israel)".
Hamas’s Stance
Qassem called on mediators "to oblige the occupation to abide by the agreement in its various stages." Hamas emphasized its commitment to completing the remaining stages of the ceasefire agreement, leading to a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, full withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, and lifting the siege.
Post-War Gaza
In a letter to an Arab League summit on Gaza due to be held on Tuesday, Hamas said it was "fully prepared to deal with any option that is agreed upon by the Palestinians" but categorically rejected "the attempt to impose any non-Palestinian projects or forms of administration or the presence of any foreign forces on any territory of the Gaza Strip."
International Involvement
US President Donald Trump has floated an idea for the US to "take over" Gaza and for Palestinians to be resettled elsewhere, an idea the Palestinians themselves as well as neighboring Egypt and Jordan have rejected. Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in January said Gaza should be under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, which currently has partial administrative control in the occupied West Bank. Blinken also mentioned that an unstated number of countries had offered to send troops and police to post-war Gaza.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza remains uncertain as the ceasefire agreement’s first phase comes to a close. Hamas’s commitment to completing the remaining stages of the agreement is crucial to achieving a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire. The international community must continue to play a key role in mediating a solution that respects the rights and sovereignty of the Palestinian people.
FAQs
- What is the current status of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza?
The ceasefire agreement’s first phase is due to expire on Saturday, with negotiations on the next stage still ongoing. - What is Hamas’s stance on the agreement?
Hamas is committed to completing the remaining stages of the agreement, leading to a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, full withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, and lifting the siege. - What is the international community’s role in the conflict?
The US, Egypt, and other countries have been involved in mediating the conflict, with some countries offering to send troops and police to post-war Gaza.