Hamas Leader Reveals Details of Ceasefire Negotiation Process

Saba Yemen

01-06-2025

Gaza – Saba News Agency:
A senior Hamas official, Mahmoud Mardawi, stated that the movement reached an acceptable draft agreement after weeks of serious negotiations with the American envoy. The draft met the minimum national demands and requirements to protect the Palestinian people. The U.S. mediator agreed to present the draft to the 'Israeli' side, but the enemy rejected it and insisted on treating it as a final, non-negotiable proposal.
According to the Palestine Online website, Mardawi said via his official account on the 'X' platform that the proposed paper contained 'catastrophic loopholes' even worse than previous 'Israeli' proposals. He outlined the major flaws:
It did not ensure a genuine withdrawal from Palestinian territories.
It did not include a comprehensive ceasefire at any stage.
It did not guarantee the sustained flow of humanitarian aid.
It failed to include any binding commitments beyond the seventh day (when the exchange of Israeli prisoners is expected), instead leaving everything after that subject to 'Israeli' will and interpretation.
Mardawi explained, 'In clearer terms: take what we give now, and we'll see later if we follow through.'
Despite this, he noted that Hamas gave a positive initial response, agreeing to the paper in principle but rejecting the use of its vague terms as cover for continued genocide, starvation, or as a backdoor to political and security manipulation. The movement demanded revisions to sections that failed to guarantee an end to the killing, enable sustainable aid delivery, ensure the return of displaced people, or commit the enemy to a clear withdrawal and ceasefire.
Mardawi stressed that these revisions precisely matched what was already agreed upon with the U.S. mediator over the past weeks. He expressed disappointment with the U.S. response, saying Washington labeled Hamas's reply a 'step backward,' despite knowing it was based entirely on mutual understandings.
He asserted that Hamas is not obstructing the truce efforts or maneuvering politically, but rather gave a responsible response with necessary edits to protect Palestinians from extermination.
Addressing the international community and involved parties, Mardawi said:
'We demand an end to the aggression, the delivery of aid, the return of displaced persons, and the freedom of prisoners. These are not political conditions but the bare minimum of human dignity.'
He concluded by affirming that Hamas will continue all possible efforts to reach an agreement that leads to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and ends the war, starvation, and genocide.
Separately, senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nounou confirmed the movement had agreed to release ten Israeli captives, indicating the dispute centered around the timing of their release.
Speaking to Alaraby TV, Al-Nounou said Hamas's response to the U.S.-proposed 'Wittkoff Plan' formed a valid basis for negotiations that could lead to an agreement, adding:
'We considered the inclusion of implementable clauses in the agreement.'
He emphasized that the movement aims to strengthen the ceasefire agreement and begin a new round of negotiations, while remaining firm on the need for credible guarantees in any ceasefire deal.
On Saturday, Hamas officially submitted its response to the 'Wittkoff Proposal' via mediators, reaffirming its commitment to achieving a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal from Gaza, and uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the people of the Strip.
Following this, the U.S. envoy rejected Hamas's reply, saying it was 'completely unacceptable.'
Wittkoff stated:
'I have received Hamas's response to the U.S. proposal, and it is utterly unacceptable. It will only set us back.'
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