Latest news with #al-Hayya
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Turkish intelligence chief discusses Gaza ceasefire with Hamas's Khalil al-Hayya
Kalin and al-Hayya reportedly discussed the final stage of the US-brokered ceasefire negotiations, and Turkey's ongoing efforts to "end the humanitarian crisis and devastation in Gaza." Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin held a phone conversation with Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chief Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's negotiation delegation, Turkish Anadolu Agency reported on Monday. According to the report, Kalin and al-Hayya discussed the final stage of the US-brokered ceasefire negotiations, as well as Turkey's ongoing efforts—coordinated with the international community—to "end the humanitarian crisis and devastation in Gaza" and to ensure the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, Anadolu Agency wrote. Anadolu Agency also noted that Kalin emphasized the importance of continuing ceasefire talks, which the United States, Qatar, and Egypt are mediating. On Saturday, Hamas said it had not rejected a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters. Naim said Israel's response to Witkoff's proposal was incompatible with what the group agreed on, adding that the US envoy's position towards the group was "unfair" and showed "complete bias" towards Israel. Witkoff slammed Hamas for making what he called "backward" changes to the US-backed hostage deal proposal.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reports: Hamas rejects latest ceasefire proposal
Hamas has rejected the latest Israeli proposal for the release of the remaining hostages and a new ceasefire because it does not include an end to the war, several Israeli media reports on Thursday cited senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya as saying. In a speech, al-Hayya stated that the Islamists would not agree to partial agreements. The last ceasefire phase ended about a month ago after Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas failed to reach an agreement on the next steps of the deal. Hamas demands the implementation of a second phase of the agreement, which includes an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers. This phase was originally supposed to begin in early March. Hamas is reportedly ready to negotiate an agreement that would foresee the release of all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and an end to the war. The current draft includes the release of 10 hostages for a 45-day ceasefire, the Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday. Israeli information indicates that 24 living hostages and 35 bodies of abductees are currently being held in the Gaza Strip.
Saudi Gazette
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Hamas accepts new Gaza ceasefire proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar
GAZA — The Palestinian group Hamas announced late Saturday that it has accepted a new ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip, submitted by Egypt and Qatar, and expressed hope that Israel would not undermine the mediators' efforts. "We received a proposal two days ago from our brothers in Egypt and Qatar, who are mediating the talks," said Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's leader in Gaza, in a televised address marking Eid al-Fitr. "We engaged with the proposal positively and accepted it, and we hope that the occupation will not sabotage it or undermine the mediators' efforts." While al-Hayya did not disclose the details of the proposed deal, international reports suggest the initiative involves activating the second phase of a previous ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. The initial truce collapsed following renewed hostilities in March. "We fully adhered to our commitments and worked with the mediators to ensure Israel would abide by its obligations. However, it reneged on the entire agreement once the first phase concluded," al-Hayya said. Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Tel Aviv has submitted a counterproposal demanding that Hamas release 10 captives instead of five, as originally outlined by the Egyptian officials reportedly hope to reach a deal before the Jewish Passover holiday begins on April Saturday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel responded with an alternative plan that was fully coordinated with the United States, though no details were reignited on March 18 when Israel launched a surprise aerial assault on Gaza, killing more than 920 people and injuring over 2,000, effectively ending the previous October 2023, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 50,200 Palestinians — mostly women and children — and injured over 114,000, according to Palestinian health faces legal scrutiny on the international stage. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The country is also on trial at the International Court of Justice in a genocide case over its war in the enclave. — Agencies
Al Arabiya
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Hamas to free six Israeli Gaza hostages, hand over four bodies this week
Hamas said Tuesday that it would hand over all six living Israeli hostages due for release under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire this week, as well as the bodies of four dead captives. The fragile Gaza truce took effect on January 19 after more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Thirty-three Israeli hostages were due to be released under the first phase, with 19 freed so far in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. Of the remaining 14, Israel says eight are dead. Five Thai nationals held in Gaza since the 2023 attack have also been released outside the scope of the truce deal. Hamas 'decided to release on Saturday, February 22, the remaining living (Israeli) prisoners whose release was agreed in the first phase, numbering six,' the group's top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said in a televised address. The group had also 'decided to hand over four bodies on Thursday... and the enemy will release the corresponding prisoners,' al-Hayya said. Israel subsequently confirmed the arrangements, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office saying that during indirect negotiations in Cairo, 'agreements were reached' for the six living hostages to be released on Saturday. It added that the bodies of four hostages would be returned on Thursday, ahead of four others next week. These would be the first bodies returned by Hamas to Israel since the start of the war. A Palestinian source close to the negotiations said mediators had presented the request for the new releases, adding they aimed 'for this step to create a positive atmosphere, insisting on the continuation of the ceasefire.' The first phase of the truce is due to expire on March 1, and negotiations on the next stages, including a permanent end to the war, have not yet begun. The truce deal has so far held despite both sides trading accusations of violations, and despite the strain placed on it by US President Donald Trump's widely condemned plan to take control of Gaza and relocate its population.
