Ukraine launches major drone strike on Russian strategic airbase
ALBAWABA - Mahmoud Mardawi, a senior Hamas official, has openly disclosed the reasons for the recent collapse of ceasefire talks in Gaza, accusing Israel of rejecting previously agreed agreements and making last-minute demands for adjustments that Hamas found intolerable.
"After weeks of serious talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas accepted a draft proposal that met the bare minimum of Palestinian national goals and civilian protection," Mardawi said in a comprehensive post on X. According to Mardawi, Israel's answer to the U.S. envoy's offer to show the framework to the Israeli side was a rejection of further negotiations. Rather, Israel requested that the Americans send the text back to Hamas as a last resort, eliminating any chance for debate or revision.
According to Mardawi, the version that Israel requested included significant errors that compromised the main objectives of any truce. Among them were the lack of a firm commitment to a permanent cessation of military operations, a guaranteed departure from Gaza, guarantees of ongoing humanitarian assistance, and no legally enforceable commitments over the seventh day of the planned ceasefire, when the release of Israeli detainees was anticipated.
Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk delivered a report regarding today's operation. An absolutely brilliant result. A result achieved solely by Ukraine. One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range… pic.twitter.com/oN41NFYyfw — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 1, 2025
At first, Hamas reacted with cautious support despite such flaws. Mardawi emphasized that although the group accepted the idea in theory, they opposed using it as justification for further hardship, famine, and evictions. In order to guarantee a real cessation of hostilities, the provision of sustained relief, the repatriation of displaced people, and a sincere Israeli commitment to leave the Strip, Hamas requested changes.
According to Mardawi, Hamas was taken aback by the fact that the required modifications were exactly in line with the verbal agreement reached with the U.S. ambassador. Although Washington had previously supported the framework, it called Hamas's stance a setback and "unacceptable."
Hamas is not undermining peace efforts, Mardawi said. He underlined that the group's position is based on preserving fundamental human dignity and safeguarding civilians. He reaffirmed Hamas's readiness to achieve a ceasefire that ends the conflict and ensures genuine aid for Gaza and urged international players to focus their pressure on Israel rather than those defending their people.
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