Hamas Ready for Gaza Ceasefire Talks as Regional Efforts Intensify
In a significant development, Hamas announced on Sunday its readiness to commence indirect negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza. The group expressed appreciation for the continued mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt, indicating a willingness to “immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations” to address outstanding issues with “the other party.”
Hamas emphasized that the primary goals of the talks would be to alleviate the “humanitarian catastrophe” unfolding in Gaza, ensure the delivery of relief aid to the Palestinian people, and achieve a permanent ceasefire accompanied by the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
While there has been no immediate response from the Israeli side regarding Hamas’s announcement, the Israel Defense Forces stated that Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has ordered the expansion of ground operations into additional areas of both the southern and northern Gaza Strip. Zamir mentioned that the expansion aims to create conditions for the return of Israeli hostages and the decisive defeat of Hamas.
Meanwhile, Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement pledging to continue intensive efforts to facilitate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The foreign ministries of both nations expressed hope for swiftly reaching an initial 60-day temporary ceasefire, laying the groundwork for a permanent peace agreement and the commencement of reconstruction efforts in the region.
A delegation from the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee reaffirmed its commitment to stopping the ongoing conflict in Gaza. At a press conference, the delegation highlighted the two-state solution as the only path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region. The Arab ministers also vowed to intensify efforts to encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine.
Amid these developments, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured on Sunday near a food distribution site. Witnesses reported that Israeli soldiers fired on people attempting to collect aid, a claim that Israel has denied. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most suffering from gunshot or shrapnel wounds. Patients stated they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site.
The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and for measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As regional powers engage in diplomatic efforts, many hope that a ceasefire can be achieved, leading to lasting peace and stability in the region.
