Hamas responds to Gaza ceasefire proposal

According to RIA Novosti on July 24, AFP quoted a statement saying that Hamas forces responded to the proposed ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

"Hamas has just presented to the mediators its response and the response of the Palestinian factions to the proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," AFP quoted Hamas' statement, published on its Telegram channel.

The agency did not provide details of the response.

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip resumed in Doha on July 6. According to media reports, the first round of talks ended without any results. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty said that the Arabs, along with other mediators such as Qatar and the United States, are working towards a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, during which time Israeli hostages are expected to be released.

Earlier, Israeli Cabinet spokesman David Mentzer said that the Palestinian Hamas movement continues to reject the agreement on the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages, which was proposed by mediators and accepted by Israel, and that the Israeli negotiating delegation is still working in Doha. According to the government spokesman, the Israeli delegation is still present and working in Doha.

On July 20, regional media sources said that the negotiations in Doha, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, which began in early July, are facing the risk of collapse, when Hamas announced that it would withdraw from the negotiating table unless Israel accepts a comprehensive and long-term ceasefire agreement.

According to sources, Hamas has particularly stressed the need for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, creating an unhindered humanitarian aid corridor, as well as the safe return of wounded civilians abroad for treatment and the establishment of an independent interim government composed of Palestinian experts to run Gaza.