1:47 PM ET, March 5, 2024
Hamas says it has submitted its response to the ceasefire negotiations to the mediators in Egypt
From CNN's Mustafa Salem in Abu Dhabi
Mohamed Salem/Reuters
Hamas said that it had submitted a response to the proposals presented to it by the Egyptian and Qatari mediators, but it blamed Israel for procrastinating in reaching an agreement.
Senior Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said: “We confirmed our conditions for a ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to the areas they left, especially in the north, and the provision of adequate aid, relief and reconstruction.” He said at a press conference in Beirut.
Hamdan reiterated Hamas's demand for a permanent ceasefire and said that the prisoner exchange would not take place until Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and aid is allowed to enter.
He added: “The security and safety of our people will only be achieved through a permanent ceasefire, an end to the aggression, and (Israeli) withdrawal from every inch of Gaza… and the entry of aid to our people in Gaza is our top priority.” ,” He said.
Hamdan warned that the negotiations would not be “open” as Israel continued its attack on Gaza.
He added that Hamas presented its “vision and position” on the proposal presented by Egypt and Qatar last week.
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