Hamas leader: Hamas’ response to the ceasefire in Gaza is “in line” with the American plan

Ismail Haniyeh, the movement’s Qatar-based leader, said in a televised speech marking Eid al-Adha on Sunday that Hamas’ response to the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza is consistent with the principles set forth in US President Joe Biden’s plan.

Haniyeh said, “Hamas and the Palestinian factions are ready for a comprehensive agreement that includes a ceasefire, withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction of what was destroyed, and a comprehensive exchange agreement,” referring to the exchange of Israeli hostages with Palestinian prisoners.

On May 31, Biden presented what he called a “three-phase” Israeli proposal, which would include negotiations for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as a phased exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Egypt and Qatar – which mediate alongside the United States between Hamas and Israel – said on June 11 that they had received a response from Palestinian groups to the American plan, without providing further details.

Although Israel said that Hamas rejected key elements of the American plan, a senior Hamas leader told Reuters that the changes requested by the movement were not “significant.”