Hamas rejects temporary truce offer, calls for complete ceasefire in Gaza

A high-ranking member of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has rejected proposals from mediators Egypt and Qatar for a short-term truce in Gaza as “misleading”, stating that the initiative does not include a lasting ceasefire.

Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas’s political bureau, said on Saturday that the proposals put forward do not include conditions that the movement considers essential, such as a permanent cessation of Israeli attacks, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Strip and the return of the displaced to their areas.

“We engage positively with any proposals and ideas that guarantee an end to the aggression and the withdrawal of occupation troops from Gaza,” he stated.

The Hamas official noted that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stalling the conclusion of a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire to buy time, and is using negotiations as a cover to continue his aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.

“The role-playing game between the occupying regime and the US administration continues in Lebanon, just as it does in Gaza,” Rishq pointed out.

Hamas reiterates opposition to ‘new demands, conditions’ for Gaza truce

Hamas reiterates its opposition to imposition of “any new demands or conditions” by the Israeli regime for implementation of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

An official Hamas source revealed on Friday the details of the discussions held by a Hamas delegation with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, stating that the ideas include a temporary ceasefire for a few days and increasing the number of humanitarian aid trucks allowed into the Gaza Strip, in addition to the possibility of a partial exchange of captives and prisoners between the two sides.

The source explained to al-Aqsa television channel that the proposals do not meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people to achieve security and stability, and do not include rebuilding the damaged infrastructure or re-opening the crossings, especially the Rafah crossing, which is considered a lifeline for the people of the coastal territory.

Senior Hamas leader Taher al-Nunu had already warned on Thursday that the group would reject any proposal for a temporary halt to the fighting.

A top Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP news agency on Friday that the group had responded by restating its position that “what the Palestinian people want is a complete, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire”.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir