Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reiterated on Saturday that his movement demands a cease-fire and an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, as part of ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire.
These complex negotiations, including the new release of hostages, are ongoing by the mediator countries, Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
Haniyeh reiterated in a statement that his movement “will accept nothing less than a ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupying forces from the Gaza Strip, the lifting of the oppressive blockade and the provision of safe haven for displaced people.
He added that displaced people from the northern Gaza Strip should be able to return there, and he called for the release of Hamas prisoners serving long prison terms in Israel.
US President Joe Biden, for his part, requested a “temporary ceasefire” to allow the release of hostages by Hamas starting Friday, October 7.
He added that he had discussed the matter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that negotiations were “ongoing”. Netanyahu said this week that Hamas’s demands were “illusory.”
Mostly civilian victims
The war began with an unprecedented attack by Hamas commandos who infiltrated southern Israel from Gaza on October 7, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count drawn from official Israeli data.
Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas, which has been in power in Gaza since 2007, which it considers a terrorist organization along with the United States and the European Union. Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed 28,858 people, most of them civilians, Hamas’ health ministry announced in a new report on Saturday.
According to Israel, 130 hostages are still being held in Gaza, 30 of whom are believed to be dead, out of about 250 people abducted on its territory on October 7.
A November ceasefire agreement allowed the release of 105 people, including 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including 80 Israelis.
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