Hamas Asks For Israel's Commitment To Permanent Armistice And Withdrawal Of All Troops From Gaza

JAKARTA - Senior Hamas officials said on Tuesday the militant group could not agree to any agreement, unless Israel committed to a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of all its troops from the Gaza Strip.

"We cannot agree to an agreement that does not secure, guarantee, and ensure a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and finalize a completely serious exchange agreement," Hamas official Osama Hamdan told a televised news conference.

President Joe Biden on Friday described what he described as a three-phase proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, saying "it's time this war ended" and received a positive initial reaction from Hamas.

The first phase involved a six-week ceasefire, when Israeli troops will withdraw from "all populated territory" in Gaza, several hostages - including the elderly and women - will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian civilians can return to their homes in Gaza and 600 trucks a day will bring humanitarian aid to the destroyed enclave.

In this phase, Hamas and Israel will negotiate a permanent ceasefire that President Biden says will take place "as long as Hamas fulfills its commitments."

If negotiations last more than six weeks, a temporary ceasefire will be extended, while negotiations continue.

In the second phase, President Biden said there would be an exchange for all the surviving hostages, including the male army, while Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire would begin.

The third stage will include a grand reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the hostages' "last remnants" to their families.

"Israel only wants one phase where it takes all its hostages, then continues its aggression and war against our people," Hamdan said.

"We ask the mediator to get a clear position from the Israeli occupation to commit to a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal," he added.

Hamas previously said they viewed the contents of the proposal positively.

Meanwhile, Washington said on Sunday that if Hamas accepted the proposed plan, they hoped Israel would follow suit.

It is known that Qatar, which is with the United States and Egypt has mediated talks between Hamas and Israel, also urged Israel to give a clear position supported by its entire government to reach an agreement.