Hamas:
"Ceasefire Talks With Israel Are No Longer Meaningful"
Calls for Global Pressure on Netanyahu to End the War
A senior Hamas official stated on May 6 (local time) that "ceasefire negotiations with Israel are no longer meaningful."
Bassem Naim, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, said in an interview that day that "we are no longer interested in ceasefire negotiations with Israel," according to AFP. Naim reiterated that "as long as the war of starvation and the crackdown continue in the Gaza Strip, it is meaningless to participate in talks or consider new ceasefire proposals." He added that the entire world should urge the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war.
His remarks came just one day after Israel's security cabinet approved the "Chariots of Gideon" operational plan, which includes a proposal to occupy and retain the Gaza Strip as territory. On the previous day, Prime Minister Netanyahu formalized his plan to occupy Gaza, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "One thing is clear. (The Israeli military) will not go in and then leave."
Israel and Hamas suspended hostilities for about two months earlier this year under an agreement reached at the beginning of the year. However, when negotiations to extend the ceasefire stalled in March, Israel resumed military operations in the Gaza Strip. In addition, since March 1, when the first phase of the temporary ceasefire ended, Israel has maintained a complete blockade, leading the Gaza Strip into a severe humanitarian crisis.
Jean-Noel Barrot, France's Foreign Minister, said in a radio interview that day that Israel's plan to occupy the Gaza Strip is "unacceptable" and criticized the Israeli government for "violating international humanitarian law," according to the news agency.
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