Hamas and Islamic Jihad Demand End to Gaza War and Israeli Withdrawal in Ceasefire Talks

Kokcha News Agency: In a joint statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have outlined their conditions for any indirect negotiations with Israel, emphasizing that talks must lead to the cessation of the ongoing war in Gaza, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, the opening of border crossings, and the start of reconstruction.

The statement followed a meeting between Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Mohammed Ismail Derwish and a delegation from the Islamic Jihad, led by its Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhala. The two groups discussed the daily sacrifices of the Palestinian people, the humanitarian suffering caused by the war, and the ongoing massacres carried out by the Israeli military.

The delegations also reviewed developments in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, mediated by Egypt and Qatar. They stressed that any indirect talks with Israel must result in the end of the war, the opening of border crossings, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

U.S. Ceasefire Proposal
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has accepted the necessary conditions for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. The proposal was presented to Hamas by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, and Hamas has reportedly responded positively, expressing readiness to negotiate the implementation of the ceasefire.

However, the Israeli government has deemed Hamas’s modifications to the Qatari proposal unacceptable, though an Israeli delegation has traveled to Doha to continue negotiations.

Sticking Points in Negotiations
While significant progress has been made in the Doha talks, disagreements remain over Israel’s insistence on maintaining control of the Morag Corridor, which separates the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, as well as its continued occupation of Rafah.