Senior Hamas member says mediators working to achieve cease-fire deal in Gaza

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - A top representative of Hamas in Lebanon said on Monday mediator countries are working on a deal to achieve cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

The mediators are working to achieve the agreement, which "must guarantee all what we are asking for," Osama Hamdan, a member of the Palestinian group's politburo, told Anadolu. "We insist reaching a complete cease-fire, call for a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, and the lifting the siege on Gaza."

"However, the Israeli army wants to continue its military attacks in Gaza, and continue its siege, he added.

Mediators including the US, Qatar and Egypt are negotiating on a deal for cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners held by Hamas and Israel, respectively.

The war began after the Oct. 7 cross-border offensive by Hamas, in which some 1,200 people were killed, and around 240 taken as hostages.

About half of the hostages were released during a weeklong November cease-fire in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel’s attacks have killed more than 27,000 Palestinians, and about 85% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have fled their homes, according to the UN.

Regarding claims that Hamas asked for the release of major commanders of the group, Hamdan said "we have declared from day number one that we want the release of all the Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails."

Asked whether the exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah will stop if the deal is reached in Gaza, Hamdan said "Israel is worried more than anyone else about the continuity of the fight in the northern part of Palestine and the southern part of Lebanon."

"The Israelis understand that they did not succeed in Gaza, and failed to face the resistance, which will continue until the end of occupation," he added.

Last week, head of Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh confirmed receiving a proposal, thrashed at a meeting in Paris, to end the fighting in the blockaded Palestinian enclave.