Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, has announced the group’s readiness to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking from Doha, Qatar, Naim emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must be respected by Israel.
“Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if a proposal is presented and on the condition that the proposal is respected by Israel,” Naim stated.
Call for US Involvement
Hamas has also urged the US, particularly President-elect Donald Trump, to pressure Israel into ending its military operations.
“We call on the US administration to pressure the Israeli government to end the aggression,” Naim added.
Qatar Pauses Mediation
Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, recently paused its efforts, citing a lack of commitment from both sides.
“Qatar will resume its mediation efforts when both parties show willingness and seriousness,” said Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry.
Background of the Gaza Conflict
The conflict escalated on October 7 last year, following coordinated attacks by Hamas on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza have since led to over 43,000 deaths, predominantly civilians.
This latest statement from Hamas marks a potential step towards de-escalation, contingent on mutual respect for a ceasefire agreement.