Hamas says permanent Gaza ceasefire "cornerstone" for agreement with Israel

GAZA -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Monday that achieving a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is crucial for reaching an agreement with Israel.

Abdul Latif al-Qanou, a spokesman for Hamas, said in a statement that "ensuring a permanent ceasefire is a fundamental cornerstone for moving towards the details of negotiations and the success of the agreement with the Israeli occupation."

He stressed the necessity of fulfilling the demands of the Palestinian people, including a "permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of forces from the Gaza Strip, and the return of refugees."

These demands "are not unrealistic conditions but legitimate demands understood by mediators and supported by our people, and agreed upon nationally and factionally," said the spokesperson.

Accusing Israel of "using the weapon of chaos and destabilization," he said what the Israeli army had failed to achieve "over the past seven months of destruction, devastation, and genocide" will not be achieved "in the wasted time of war."

A Hamas delegation is scheduled to visit Cairo on Monday, to deliver the movement's response regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and to negotiate a hostage-for-prisoner swap deal with Israel, according to a source from the movement.

The source, who preferred not to mention his name, added that the delegation is headed by Khalil Al-Hayya, the Hamas deputy chief in Gaza.

On Sunday, as reported by Israeli public radio, a senior Israeli official said Israel was facing "decisive moments in the efforts to reach a new hostage deal."

The official added, "We are awaiting the response of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar," expecting it to be made "within the next 48 hours." He noted that Israel has expressed readiness to make "very significant concessions" regarding the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

Israel estimated that there were still about 134 Israelis held hostage in Gaza, whereas Hamas announced that 70 of them had been killed in Israeli airstrikes.

According to Palestinian organizations concerned with prisoners, Israel detained over 9,000 Palestinians in its jails, with reports of deteriorating conditions and instances of fatalities among them.