Hamas Ready for Gaza Deal, As Long as Israel Stops War and Aggression

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Thursday it had informed mediators that it would not take part in further negotiations during the ongoing aggression, but was ready for a "full agreement" including an exchange of hostages and prisoners, if Israel stops the war.

Hamas' latest statement came as Israel continues its attacks on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt the attacks.

"Hamas and the Palestinian factions will not accept to be part of this policy by continuing (ceasefire) negotiations in light of the aggression, siege, starvation, and genocide against our people," the group said in a statement, reported by Reuters on May 31.

Peace talks, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, among others, to arrange a ceasefire between Israel and militant groups in the Gaza war have repeatedly stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress.

"Today, we inform the mediators of our clear position, if the occupation stops its war and aggression against our people in Gaza, our readiness is to reach a complete agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange agreement," Hamas said.

Israel has rejected previous Hamas offers as insufficient, saying it is determined to wipe out the group.

It said the Rafah offensive was focused on rescuing hostages and eliminating the remnants of Hamas fighter battalions.

The latest conflict in Gaza broke out after the Hamas militant group launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel claims it killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages.

Meanwhile, citing WAFA, health authorities in Gaza on Thursday announced that at least 53 people were killed and 357 others injured as a result of Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours. Thus, the death toll of Palestinians since the Israeli aggression on Gaza as a retaliatory measure has reached 36,224 people and 81,777 people were injured.