2024-04-06 12:35:28
On Saturday, Hamas confirmed its refusal to “give up” on its demands to conclude a truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip, while sending a delegation to Cairo on Sunday to resume discussions with mediators.
The movement announced in a statement that a delegation “will head to Cairo on Sunday, in response to the call of our brothers in Egypt.”
It reiterated its demands, which came in a proposal on March 14 ahead of the UN Security Council resolution, calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which was approved on March 25.
In its statement today, it indicated that its demands “are a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza, the return of the displaced to their places of residence, freedom of movement of people, relief and shelter, and a serious prisoner exchange deal.”
Hamas stressed that these are “natural demands to end the aggression, and they will not be given up.”
The Associated Press quoted a senior US administration official as saying that US President Joe Biden wrote on Friday to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar calling on them to put pressure on Hamas to conclude a hostage agreement with Israel.
A report by the American Wall Street Journal also revealed the point of contention, which stands as an obstacle to attempts to reach a truce and hostage exchange agreement in the Gaza Strip.
The newspaper reported that the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza emerges as a major issue at the heart of the truce negotiations.
US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resolve this issue during a phone call on Thursday, according to US officials.
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