Hamas Leader Calls Gaza's Armistice Negotiations Meaningless If There Is Still A Blockade

Khalil al Hayya. (Source: IRNA)

JAKARTA - Leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip Khalil al-Hayya said on Sunday the ceasefire negotiations with Israel were " meaningless under continued blockade and hunger".

"The immediate and dignified delivery of food and medicine to our people is the only serious and real indication of whether continuing the negotiations is beneficial," he said in a recorded speech.

He further criticized the idea of sending aid by air to Gaza, saying, "five aid deliveries by air are equivalent to one small truck."

"The real step is the opening of border crossings," he said, quoted from TASS.

Efforts to negotiate Hamas with Israel in Qatar last week experienced a stalemate, with Israel and the United States withdrawing its delegation, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announcing on social media indicating Hamas was less eager to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Hamas leadership themselves declared them "welcome for the advancement of consultation in Doha" and expressed surprise at Witkoff's reaction to his attitude.

Yesterday, Israel announced a 10-hour "tragistical cycle of military activity" in three Gaza regions, as international anger grew over hunger in the Palestinian territories.

"To scale up humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, local tactical breaks in military activity will be imposed for humanitarian purposes," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Sunday.

The pause, which covers the Al-Mawasi region, Deir al-Balah, and parts of Gaza City, will start at 10.00 to 20.00 local time, continuing every day "until further notice," the military said.

The designated "safe route" will also be set from 06.00 to 23.00 local time, to allow UN convoys and humanitarian organizations to safely deliver and distribute food and medicine throughout Gaza, the IDF said.