Hamas mentioned Friday that it has responded to the White Home’s ceasefire proposal between the Palestinian militant group and Israel in a “constructive spirit” and is able to begin negotiations on implementing the plan.
“The Hamas motion has accomplished its inner consultations in addition to discussions with Palestinian factions and forces concerning the most recent proposal by the mediators to halt the aggression towards our individuals in Gaza,” Hamas wrote in an announcement on its official web site.
“The motion has delivered its response to the brotherly [Qatari and Egyptian] mediators, which was characterised by a constructive spirit. Hamas is absolutely ready, with all seriousness, to right away enter a brand new spherical of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”
It was not clear if Hamas’ assertion meant it had accepted the proposal from President Trump for a 60-day ceasefire. Hamas has been searching for ensures that the preliminary truce would result in a complete finish to the warfare, now almost 21 months previous. Mr. Trump has been pushing exhausting for a deal to be reached, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is because of go to the White Home subsequent week to debate a deal.
Hamas didn’t elaborate on what points wanted to be labored out.
However an official near the talks mentioned Hamas had a number of requests — that Israeli troops in Gaza pull again to positions it held on March 2 earlier than it broke the earlier ceasefire; that help move into Gaza in enough portions via the U.N. and different worldwide humanitarian companies; and that negotiations proceed past 60 days if wanted to succeed in a deal for a everlasting finish to the warfare and the discharge of all remaining hostages.
Hamas launched the assertion hours after Mr. Trump mentioned he would know inside a day the place Hamas stood on his ceasefire proposal.
The president made his assertion late Thursday after asserting that Israel agreed to the “vital situations” to finalize a 60-day ceasefire with the terrorist group.
“My Representatives had an extended and productive assembly with the Israelis right now on Gaza,” he posted Tuesday on social media. “Israel has agreed to the required situations to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, throughout which period we’ll work with all events to finish the Warfare.”
When requested by a reporter Thursday evening if Hamas had agreed to the proposition, Mr. Trump replied, “We’ll see what occurs. We’re going to know over the following 24 hours.”
Earlier rounds of negotiations have hit a dead-end over Hamas’ calls for for ensures that additional negotiations would result in the warfare’s finish, whereas Mr. Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume combating to make sure the destruction of the militant group.
• This story is predicated partly on wire service experiences.