Hamas leader Osama Hamdan confirmed that the movement "worked diligently to reach an agreement that stops the aggression against the Gaza Strip and facilitates the entry of aid," adding, "Our people will not accept any agreement that does not include a ceasefire, the breaking of the siege on Gaza, and the withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza."
In a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut, he stated, "We reaffirm that what the enemy failed to achieve through combat will not be achieved through negotiations." He added, "We will not allow the negotiation process to remain open without a horizon... Our flexibility in negotiation is matched by our full readiness to defend our people... We cannot accept any solution that does not stop the aggression."
He continued: "The enemy is procrastinating as usual, and our people's security and safety will only be achieved by stopping the aggression and the ceasefire, along with the withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza. We will not allow the negotiation process to remain open without a horizon while the war of starvation and extermination against our people continues." He concluded: "Our flexibility in negotiating for our people is matched by our full readiness to defend them and their sanctities." He affirmed: "There will be no exchange of hostages and prisoners except after a ceasefire is declared."
