Hamas leader eyes to reach Gaza deal

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has said that Palestinian radical factions confirm the readiness to conclude a truce agreement in the Gaza Strip, which must be based on four main conditions.

“Hamas movement and other [Palestinian] factions intend to reach an agreement, which should include four main points, namely, a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and the exchange of prisoners of war,” TASS reports citing Haniyeh’s statement.

Haniyeh added that the radicals' response to the mediators' latest proposal is consistent with the basic principles for establishing a truce in Gaza contained in [US President Joe] Biden's proposal and in the UN Security Council’s resolution.

He noted that a decision on a ceasefire in Gaza must be reached through negotiations, regardless of Israeli attempts to prevent consultations.

Haniyeh also accused the Jewish state authorities of not appreciating the flexibility shown by Hamas during the negotiation process and still planning to return their hostages and immediately resume hostilities in Gaza.