Hamas ready for ceasefire under Biden’s plan
Hamas said that the Israeli army will be defeated if it launches a ground operation against Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip, Gaza Strip, May 5, 2024 (AA Photo)
Hamas has announced its readiness for a ceasefire based on the draft proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden on May 31, rejecting any new conditions.
In a statement, Hamas said a delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel in Doha.
Hamas declared its willingness to implement the ceasefire immediately, as agreed upon in Biden’s May 31 announcement, UN Security Council Resolution 2735, and the July 2 agreements.
The group dismissed any attempt to introduce new conditions but praised mediators’ efforts to secure a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
President Biden had earlier announced a new three-phase ceasefire proposal by Israel. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that Biden’s plan differed from Israel’s proposal and demanded new conditions, including maintaining Israeli control over the Netzarim Corridor, the Philadelphi Corridor, and the Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt.
