March 23, 2025 | 08:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas on Saturday stated that the communication with mediators regarding ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the prisoner exchange agreement with Israel "never stopped."
In a statement as quoted by Anadolu, Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanoua said, "The proposal put forward by (the U.S. President's envoy) Steve Witkoff, along with several other ideas, are being discussed with the mediators."
On March 13, Israeli media reported that Witkoff proposed a plan that includes the release of five Israeli citizens held in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the start of the second stage of negotiations.
The next day, Hamas announced its approval of the proposal put forward by the mediators, which includes the release of an Israeli-American soldier and the return of the four bodies of dual nationals, as part of the continuation of the second stage negotiations.
Al-Qanoua emphasized that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the "main obstacle in reaching an agreement." He added that the continuation of the implementation of the agreement depends on "Netanyahu's stance, as he prioritizes his government's survival over the lives of the hostages in Gaza."
He also emphasized Hamas' readiness to engage in any arrangement related to the Gaza government, as long as it is based on national consensus. He said Hamas does not aspire to play a role in any administrative framework.
"Hamas has previously agreed to the formation of a community support committee in Gaza that does not involve Hamas," said Al-Qanoua.
"We do not aspire to rule Gaza. What is important to us is the existence of national consensus, and we are committed to its results," he said.
Al-Qanoua also condemned the resumption of Israel's genocide in Gaza, calling it a "genocide war" conducted with the support of the United States. He urged the U.S. to pressure Israel to return to the ceasefire agreement and restrain from becoming involved in the conflict.
Since Tuesday, more than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,000 others injured due to sudden Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which destroyed the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange in effect since January.
Since October 2023, nearly 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, while over 113,000 others have been injured due to brutal Israeli military attacks in Gaza.
Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the attacks in the region.
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