[Seoul=Newsis] According to Yonhap News Agency and Jaelyon, the Palestinian militant group Hamas has reportedly conveyed its position of effectively accepting the Gaza ceasefire mediation proposal.
The Hamas delegation, which participated in the ceasefire negotiations in Cairo, Egypt from the 4th, reportedly expressed their position to Egyptian and Qatari mediators through a statement on the previous day.
The Hamas delegation in Cairo completed the new Gaza ceasefire negotiation and indicated that they have accepted the mediation proposal put forth by Egypt and Qatar, as reported by the media.
The statement did not mention specific details regarding Hamas’s concrete response. However, Hamas emphasized that they are approaching the mediator’s proposal with a positive and responsible attitude.
The Hamas delegation has left for Doha, Qatar for consultations with their leadership and is expected to return to Cairo on the 7th to finalize the negotiations.
With Hamas’ apparent acceptance of the mediation proposal, it is foreseeable that final ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas will proceed with the mediation proposal.
Earlier reports indicated that Israel and Hamas were at odds over ceasefire issues. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video message on the 5th that they are willing to temporarily halt combat upon the release of hostages, but cannot accept Hamas’ demands for military operations to cease and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Netanyahu argued, “We are not prepared for Hamas units to emerge from underground bunkers to reassert control over Gaza, rebuild military infrastructure, and pose a threat to Israeli citizens in border areas of Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh stated in a statement that they are exerting all efforts towards a comprehensive ceasefire for war cessation, Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and hostage exchanges.
Haniyeh also criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of not stopping the attacks and escalating armed conflicts, thereby undermining international mediation efforts.