Hamas leader engages with Turkish, Qatari and Egyptian officials on Gaza cease-fire efforts

Hamas announced on Wednesday that its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, met with officials from Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt to discuss developments regarding a cease-fire in Gaza. The talks come amid ongoing Israeli air and ground attacks that have persisted for nearly nine months.

In a statement, the group said Haniyeh had “communications with the mediators in Qatar and Egypt regarding the ideas being discussed with them to reach an agreement that would put an end to the brutal aggression faced by our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip.”

Haniyeh also spoke “with officials in Türkiye regarding the recent developments,” the statement said, adding that the group has “engaged positively.”

Since an Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives and took around 250 hostages, Israel has killed nearly 38,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The military onslaught has left the coastal enclave in ruins.

Mediators delivered a response from Hamas to a proposal that would include the release of hostages held in Gaza and a cease-fire in the territory. Israel is evaluating the remarks and will convey its reply to the mediators, according to a statement released by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on behalf of the Mossad spy agency.

Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. have been trying for months to secure a truce and the release of 120 remaining hostages in Gaza, but to no avail.

Hamas insists any deal must end the war and bring a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israel, however, argues it will accept only temporary pauses in the fighting and aims to dismantle the governance capabilities of the resistance group.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced a three-phased truce plan in May, which includes the gradual release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the pullback of Israeli forces. It also envisages the freeing of Palestinian prisoners and the reconstruction of Gaza.