Hamas issues statement on ceasefire agreement

Hamas issued a written statement on the matter via its Telegram account.

The statement noted, "Today (March 14), the movement presented a comprehensive proposal to our mediator brothers (Egypt-Qatar) based on the principles and foundations it deems necessary for a settlement."

The statement, which indicated that the proposal submitted by the movement also includes the prisoner exchange file, emphasized that Hamas will continue to protect the rights of the Palestinian people at all times.

The statement said, "This step is part of the follow-up to the negotiations conducted through our mediator brothers in Egypt and Qatar to stop the aggression against our people in Gaza, provide aid to them, ensure the return of displaced persons, and secure the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip."

INDIRECT NEGOTIATIONS HELD

A meeting was held in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on February 13 between the Tel Aviv administration and Hamas as part of a prisoner exchange agreement.

These negotiations later continued in Paris, the capital of France. The Paris negotiations concluded on February 24 with the participation of an Israeli delegation led by Mossad Chief David Barnea, CIA Director William (Bill) Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel, and a Hamas delegation.

The Israeli war cabinet had decided to send a "low-level delegation" to Doha, the capital of Qatar, to continue the negotiations.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated that he would convene the cabinet at the beginning of the week to approve plans for an attack on the southern city of Rafah, where approximately 1.5 million people fleeing attacks in the Gaza Strip have taken refuge, and for the evacuation of civilians there.

Finally, the Egyptian press announced that negotiations began in Cairo on March 3 with the participation of Egypt, Qatar, Hamas, and the US.

News Source: AA