Hamas announced on Wednesday its willingness to engage in a cease-fire in Gaza, aligning this development with the implementation of a truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The group expressed readiness to work toward halting the 13-month conflict in Gaza, while its leadership acknowledged the significance of the Israel-Hezbollah agreement. In a public statement, Hamas declared: “We are committed to cooperating with any effort to reach a cease-fire in Gaza and we are interested in ending the aggression against our people,” while reiterating its specific demands for such a truce.
The conditions outlined by Hamas include ending hostilities in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory, the return of displaced residents to their homes, and an exchange of hostages for prisoners.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, echoed the group’s stance, framing its position as one of readiness while attributing delays to the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Referring to the recent agreement in Lebanon, he remarked: “Hamas appreciates the right of Lebanon and Hezbollah to reach an agreement that protects the people of Lebanon and we hope that this agreement will pave the way to reaching an agreement that ends the war of genocide against our people in Gaza.”
Abu Zuhri added, “Hamas showed high flexibility to reach an agreement and it is still committed to that position and is interested in reaching an agreement that ends the war in Gaza. The problem was always with Netanyahu who has always escaped from reaching an agreement.”
Netanyahu has consistently accused Hamas of obstructing peace efforts, maintaining that his government would only conclude the war after the terror group is entirely dismantled.
This development follows President Joe Biden’s comments on Tuesday, where he reiterated his administration’s push for a cease-fire in Gaza, highlighting the U.S. role in brokering the Israel-Hezbollah deal. “Just as the Lebanese people deserve a future of security and prosperity, so do the people of Gaza,” Biden stated.
Biden also urged Hamas to make a critical decision, emphasizing, “Now Hamas has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release hostages, including American citizens, which they hold and in the process bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief.”
{Matzav.com}