The group expressed its willingness to work towards ending the 13-month conflict with Israel, as senior officials supported the Israel-Hezbollah agreement.
Hamas outlined several conditions for a cease-fire, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, and a hostages-for-prisoners exchange.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not pursuing a peace agreement earlier and expressed hope that the Israel-Hezbollah deal could lead to a resolution in Gaza. He claimed that Hamas has shown flexibility in negotiations, but Netanyahu has consistently avoided making peace.
Following this, President Biden reiterated the U.S. administration’s call for a cease-fire in Gaza, emphasizing that Hamas must choose to release hostages, including American citizens, to end the violence and allow for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
“We are committed to cooperating with any effort to reach a cease-fire in Gaza and we are interested in ending the aggression against our people,” Hamas said in a statement before reiterating its outstanding conditions.
“Hamas appreciates the right of Lebanon and Hezbollah to reach an agreement that protects the people of Lebanon and we hope that this agreement will pave the way to reaching an agreement that ends the war of genocide against our people in Gaza,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
“Hamas showed high flexibility to reach an agreement and it is still committed to that position and is interested in reaching an agreement that ends the war in Gaza,” Abu Zuhri said. “The problem was always with Netanyahu who has always escaped from reaching an agreement.”
“Just as the Lebanese people deserve a future of security and prosperity, so do the people of Gaza,” the outgoing president said. “Now Hamas has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release hostages, including American citizens, which they hold and in the process bring an end to the fighting, which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief.”
