Osama Hamdan, Hamas spokesman, explained that the Israelis are seeking a ceasefire of just six weeks, after which they intend to resume hostilities. According to the Hamas spokesperson, the United States has failed to convince Israel to accept a permanent ceasefire, which for Hamas is a fundamental condition for negotiating the release of the hostages. Hamdan specified that Hamas needs “a clear position on complete withdrawal from Gaza and the end of the siege” and guarantees that “Palestinians can determine their future independently.” with future prospects aimed at the reconstruction of the Strip.
Ceasefire: but for how long?
The latest proposal under discussion, an Israeli plan made public by US President Joe Biden late last month, does not satisfy Hamas’ demands for the definitive end of the war. Negotiations regarding this proposal had intensified in recent days, raising hopes of reaching an agreement between the parties. However, last Wednesday, negotiations on the agreement reached a standstill after Hamas submitted its response to the document, 12 days after receiving it.
The duration of the ceasefire represents a key point of contention for Hamas. The group fears that Israel has no intention of completing the second phase of the agreement, which would provide for a permanent end to the war and the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. This withdrawal should only be implemented after further negotiations between the parties. Hamdan emphasized that “lat the end of hostilities it must be permanent” is that “Israel must withdraw completely from Gaza” so that we can talk about a real resolution of the conflict.
However, such a solution is unlikely to be accepted by Netanyahu’s government. As in Putin’s case with Ukraine ready to join NATO, Israel will never accept having terrorists, and its number one enemies, as neighbors. The presence of Hamas at the head of the Palestinian people on the Strip is completely evident incompatible with the security of the countryespecially after the Nova festival where the group showed the world the extreme violence they are capable of.
Hamas: October 7th is Israel’s fault
Reflecting on the events of October 7, when Hamas conducted an attack on Israel, Hamdan described the action as “a reaction against the occupation“. Speaking from an office in Beirut, she then placed the responsibility for the ignoble act on the Israeli occupation.
Hamdan pointed out that i Palestinians are faced with a tragic choice: “If you resist the occupation, they will kill you. If you don’t resist the occupation, they will kill you or deport you out of your country. So what should we do, just wait?“. Furthermore, Hamdan rejected as false reports that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said the death of thousands of Palestinians was a “necessary sacrifice“. He branded such claims as “fake messages written by someone who is not Palestinian and outside Palestine“.
