The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, says its three primary conditions remain in place to resume talks with Israel over a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
A prisoner exchange, the complete withdrawal of occupying forces from the Gaza Strip, and a commitment by Israel to not resume the war are the three conditions set by Hamas, according to its spokesperson Hazem Qassem who talked to Al Jazeera Mubasher on Sunday.
A phased ceasefire deal mediated by Egypt, the United States, and Qatar, came into force on January 19, pausing more than 15 months of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. The six-week, first phase ended on March 1, followed by an Israeli move to halt all the humanitarian aid into Gaza without entering talks on the second phase.
Hazem Qassem told Al Jazeera Mubasher that consultations are already underway with the mediators to start negotiations for the second phase, adding that diplomatic activities are expected to increase in the coming days.
The progress of the talks depends on Israel's seriousness in engaging with the mediators, he added.
Hamas rejects the extension of the first phase and stresses the complete implementation of the ceasefire agreement, said Qassem.
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced late on Saturday that it would send a delegation to Doha, Qatar, on Monday (March 10) for negotiations with the mediators.
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