Ismail Haniyeh Affirms that Hamas Will Remain Firmly Adhering to the Conditions of a Permanent Ceasefire and Israeli Military Withdrawal

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. (Wikimedia Commons/council.gov.ru)

JAKARTA - The political leader of the Hamas militant group, Ismail Haniyeh, emphasized on Wednesday that his party remains adhering to the terms of the ceasefire in Gaza, including the withdrawal of the Israeli military.

Israeli officials visited Egypt earlier this week in a new attempt to reach an agreement. However, a Palestinian official close to the mediation efforts said there was no sign of a breakthrough yet.

“We are committed to our demands: a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive and complete withdrawal of the enemy from the Gaza Strip, the return of all refugees to their homes, allowing all necessary aid to our people in Gaza, rebuilding the Gaza Strip, withdrawing necessary aid to the people "We are in Gaza, rebuilding the Gaza Strip, and lifting the blockade and reaching an honorable prisoner exchange agreement," Haniyeh said in a televised speech to commemorate Al-Quds Day, reported by Reuters, April 4.

The exchange he referred to was the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, in exchange for Israeli hostages held by militants in Gaza since the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7.

On the other hand, Israel says it is only interested in a temporary ceasefire to free the hostages. Hamas said it would let them leave only as part of a deal to end the war permanently.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops planned to enter Rafah on the southern tip of Gaza, where 1.5 million people have taken refuge.

In Doha, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Wednesday that ceasefire negotiations in Gaza were deadlocked mainly due to the return of refugees to various Palestinian territories.

A source familiar with the talks said the Qatari leader was referring to Hamas' demand that displaced Palestinians be free to return to their homes in northern Gaza, after Israel ordered them to evacuate at the start of the nearly six-month war.

"Hamas wants people to be able to return to the north. This is very big for Hamas and Israel makes it difficult for them in this regard. Israel does not want them (Palestinian refugees) to have freedom of movement," said the source, who did not want to be named.

Another sticking point, the source said, is whether Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life in prison will be part of the releases. Hamas wants hundreds of prisoners who have been held for a long time to be released.

Separately, speaking in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, where Israel carried out one of its heaviest bombardments in recent weeks, Israeli military Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said his forces would "press harder, as much as necessary" on Gaza. to influence hostage release talks.

"We urge to try to start a movement in negotiations, to reach an agreement for the release of the hostages. This is a top priority," Halevi added.

It is known that of the 253 people arrested by Hamas during the October 7 attack that sparked the Gaza war, 134 people are still detained and unable to communicate in the Palestinian enclave.