Hamas, PIJ submit response to UN-backed Gaza ceasefire plan
ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency
Wed / 12 June 2024 / 13:12
The Hamas movement has presented a few remarks to the mediators regarding the proposal laid out by the United States for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Mayadeen on Tuesday.
Tehran -ISNA- Hamdan clarified that the proposal discusses a ceasefire in Gaza but does not specify that it is permanent, whereas the US President had spoken about a permanent ceasefire. "We have amended this," he said.
He pointed out that the amendments were made based on inter-Palestinian dialogue, involving both the leadership of the Resistance inside and outside Gaza.
Based on this dialogue, Hamdan revealed that three key points were agreed upon. First, the Resistance is capable of continuing [its operations], and the achievements of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm confirm that resistance is the only legitimate option for the Palestinian people.
Second, Hamdan emphasized the need to achieve a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, stressing that "the Resistance cannot compromise on the rights of its people under any circumstances."
Third, he pointed out that the Resistance's positivity should not be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness or a willingness to make further concessions.
"Our response is our commitment to what we previously committed to, a ceasefire and [complete] withdrawal from Gaza," Hamdan told Al Mayadeen.
He made it clear that the Hamas leadership does not succumb to pressure but maintains positivity.
Regarding the US stance on the war on Gaza, the Palestinian official considered that the American-Israeli position is aligned, noting that the disagreement between the two sides "is only tactical."
Touching on the US-drafted UN Security Council ceasefire resolution passed on Tuesday, Hamdan indicated that the text includes loopholes, stressing that the main thing is to set a zero hour for a ceasefire.
He added that the Hamas movement welcomes the resolution because it includes a ceasefire, relief for Palestinians, and prisoner exchange negotiations.
In a related context, a joint delegation from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), led by Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and PIJ Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhalah, announced it delivered the Palestinian Resistance factions' response regarding the ceasefire proposal to the Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
The two movements indicated that the response prioritizes the interests of the Palestinian people and the necessity of completely halting the ongoing aggression on Gaza, adding they were ready "to engage positively to reach an agreement that ends this war."
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