Hamas has announced that it has received the official Israeli response to the movement's position, which was delivered to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on April 13. A statement from Khalil al-Hayya, a Hamas leader, indicated that the movement "will study this proposal and once the study is completed, we will deliver our response."
Earlier, Hamas stated that the movement is open to any proposals that include a definitive cessation of "aggression" and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Al-Hayya stated that the movement is prepared to agree to a ceasefire for five years or more with Israel, abandon its arms, and transform into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established within the 1967 borders.
He added that the movement would accept "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with international resolutions on the 1967 borders." He further noted, "If this happens, the military wing of the group will be dissolved."
Earlier yesterday, a source in Hamas denied receiving any new offers from mediators but confirmed that the movement is following the details of the media reports regarding intensified Egyptian efforts in recent hours. The source mentioned that Hamas had informed the mediators of its conditions for reaching a ceasefire agreement that includes a comprehensive halt to hostilities, Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the return of displaced persons to their homes, as well as a dignified prisoner exchange and a clear political path for establishing a Palestinian state.
The source also stated, "Communications with the mediators have not ceased, and if there is a serious offer, a delegation from the movement will head to Cairo at any time that the communications mature."
Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website that discussions with the Egyptian delegation that arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday morning had concluded, quoting senior Israeli officials as saying that the talks were "very good." The newspaper reported that the officials noted, "The Egyptians show a strong desire to pressure Hamas to achieve the deal."
