Israeli Army Withdrawal from Gaza Is a Precondition for a Ceasefire

TEHRAN (Defapress) - According to the Palestine Online news site, Hamas member Bassem Naeem stated that Hamas is ready to consider all initiatives, provided that they meet one basic condition: a cessation of the war and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza.

Speaking in a press statement, he stated that Hamas has contacted various parties, especially regional and international mediators, with an open mind and even on its own initiative, to consider any proposal whether traditional or unconventional provided that it fulfills the only main demand, which is the cessation of the war and the withdrawal of the occupying forces.

Naeem added: What is happening to the people of Gaza today hurts hearts and minds, and this suffering is at the center of the decisions of the movement's leadership and all rounds of negotiations.

He emphasized: This suffering does not mean accepting the "equation of Netanyahu and his fascist government."

Naeem considered these policies a stage of genocide and noted: Hamas opposes any agreement that legitimizes these policies.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with the full support of the United States, has committed genocide in Gaza, as a result of which about 173 thousand Palestinians have been martyred and injured, the majority of whom are children and women. More than 11 thousand people have also gone missing.

Hamas has repeatedly announced its readiness to begin comprehensive negotiations for a prisoner exchange and has demanded the release of all prisoners at once in exchange for stopping the genocide, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under international criminal jurisdiction, is avoiding agreeing by proposing new conditions, including the disarmament of Hamas, a condition that Hamas considers unacceptable as long as the occupation continues.

The Israeli opposition and the families of Israeli prisoners also believe that Netanyahu is continuing the genocidal war in Gaza to appease the most extreme right-wing factions of his cabinet to secure his personal political goals, especially staying in power.