Hamas statement on ceasefire: 'According to the plan announced by Biden...'

Hamas officials stated that they could sign a ceasefire agreement based on the draft plan announced by US President Joe Biden on May 31, while noting that they would not accept any additional conditions.

In a written statement issued by Hamas, it was reported that a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya met with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

Hamas stated, 'We are ready for the immediate implementation of the agreed-upon ceasefire, including US President Joe Biden's May 31 announcement, Security Council Resolution 2735, and the agreements of July 2.'

While rejecting the 'imposition of new conditions' by the parties to the ceasefire plan announced by Biden, the group praised the mediators' efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, a prisoner exchange, and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the region.

US President Joe Biden had announced on May 31 that Israel had presented a new three-phase ceasefire proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, had claimed that the ceasefire draft announced by US President Joe Biden differed from the proposal prepared by Israel and had demanded the addition of new conditions.

Netanyahu had requested the continuation of the Israeli occupation of the Netzarim Corridor, which divides Gaza in two, the Philadelphi Corridor on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, as well as the Rafah Border Crossing.

News Source: AA