Hamas welcomes any proposal for implementation of Gaza ceasefire deal

ISTANBUL

Palestinian group Hamas on Friday said it welcomes any proposal to ensure the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Husam Badran, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement that the group is determined to implement all three phases of the truce agreement.

He warned that Israel’s withdrawal from the deal would take things to square one, adding that Hamas demanded of the mediators – the US, Egypt and Qatar – to make Israel abide by the agreement, stop violations, and implement all the clauses that were agreed upon.

The statement came after reports that US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff proposed to extend the ceasefire by 50 days in return for more hostage releases by Hamas and the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to enter negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Instead, he wants to extend the first phase, which ended early March and included release of Israeli hostages in return of Palestinian prisoners.

The Israeli government halted electricity supply and the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza to pressure Hamas to accept its conditions.

Hamas, however, has refused to proceed under these conditions, insisting that Israel should immediately start negotiations for the second phase, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war.

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, which took hold in January, has halted Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 48,500 victims, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

In the final phase, the remains of any deceased hostages will be returned, and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin.