Witkoff: US negotiates with Hamas to curb Israeli airstrikes and pursue dialogue

The United States is currently engaged in indirect negotiations with the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, discussing the potential cessation of Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip and the possibility of resolving the ongoing conflict through dialogue.

This was revealed by US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff in an interview with American television journalist Tucker Carlson, which was aired on March 21, Caliber.Az reports via international media.

“We are right now negotiating to possibly stop some of these Israeli strikes and perhaps end this conflict through dialogue,” Witkoff said, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to ease the hostilities.

Witkoff also confirmed that Washington views the continued presence of Hamas in the Gaza Strip as acceptable, but only under the condition that the group undergoes a process of demilitarization.

He said, "What does Hamas want? I think they want to stay there until the end of time and rule Gaza. And that’s unacceptable." He continued, "What is acceptable to us is the following: they need to demilitarize, and then, perhaps, they can remain there for a while, be politically involved." Witkoff clarified that these negotiations with Hamas are being conducted via Qatar as an intermediary.

On March 18, the Israeli military carried out a series of heavy airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the strikes were a response to Hamas’ rejection of the proposals put forth by mediators, including Witkoff, during the ongoing negotiations. The Israeli government stated that the aim of the operation in Gaza is to free all hostages held by Hamas. In contrast, Hamas and its supporters have blamed Israel and the US for the resumption of hostilities, accusing them of derailing efforts toward peace.

Since the collapse of the ceasefire, the Gaza Strip has seen severe casualties, with the enclave's health ministry indicating that approximately 600 Palestinians have been killed, including 200 children.

By Tamilla Hasanova