Khaled Meshaal, a longtime senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster TRT arabic that Hamas could accept the cease-fire, but that Israel must meet its demands, including “the Israeli withdrawal from the Al-Aqsa Mosque and guarantee the freedom of Palestinians to enter and pray in the mosque.” ; Stop expelling Palestinian residents of the Sheikh Jala area; release Palestinians arrested in recent protests; and cease aggression against the Gaza Strip. ”
The former head of Hamas’s political bureau said the United States, Russia and the European Union had acted on the cease-fire and that Hamas had made it clear to third parties involved in the mediation that Israel must first stop its “aggression”.
The Arab and Islamic countries actively mediate, mainly Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.
Later, the times of Israel, the local Israeli media, quoted Khalid as saying that “Hamas is ready for a ceasefire”.
It also quoted unnamed sources as saying that Egypt had sent good offices representatives to Israel and Gaza, respectively, in the hope of reaching a one-year truce. Hamas accepted this, but Israel refused.
The official also said Israel wants to delay the cease-fire until it can destroy more of the military capabilities of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
