Hamas: "Response to Ceasefire Proposal Aligns with US Offer... Ready for Agreement"

Agreement Mentioned on Ceasefire and Israeli Military Withdrawal

Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian armed group Hamas, recently stated on the 16th (local time) that their response to Israel's ceasefire proposal aligns with the suggestion made by U.S. President Joe Biden, and that they are ready for an agreement.

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh Photo by Yonhap News

Foreign media outlets, including Reuters, reported that Haniyeh expressed this position during a TV speech held on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the largest Islamic holiday.

Earlier, President Biden presented a three-stage ceasefire plan on the 31st of last month. The plan included ▲ a complete ceasefire for six weeks, withdrawal of Israeli troops from densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip, and partial hostage exchange ▲ exchange of all surviving hostages and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities ▲ initiation of Gaza reconstruction and return of the bodies of deceased hostages.

In his speech, Haniyeh said, "Hamas and Palestinian groups are ready to make a comprehensive agreement involving a ceasefire, withdrawal of (Israeli) troops, reconstruction of Gaza, and exchange of hostages and detainees."

On the 11th, Hamas delivered a revised proposal regarding President Biden's ceasefire plan to the mediators Qatar and Egypt. The revised proposal is reported to include not only a short-term ceasefire but also a definite timetable for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.