The Palestinian militant group Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanou emphasized on Monday that unless Israel fulfills the demands of the group, there will be no agreement for a ceasefire or the release of hostages. “Without fulfilling the just demands of our people for a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of forces, and the return of displaced persons, no agreement with the occupation will succeed,” he added. According to a previous report by AFP, the militia is set to provide its response to the Israeli counterproposal today. The group had previously indicated its readiness to disarm on the condition that a Palestinian state is established. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that if a deal is reached, Israel will “suspend” the Rafah operation.
UK’s Cameron calls on Hamas to accept ceasefire deal
United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Monday expressed hope that the Palestinian militant group Hamas will agree to the Israeli proposal that would secure the potential 40-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of hostages.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Cameron stated that it is crucial to establish a political future in the Gaza Strip without Hamas in order to build the ground for a two-state solution. “I don’t believe that even if there was a Palestinian state created tomorrow, that Iran and its leaders would say: “That’s all fine now”,” Cameron stated, highlighting that Tehran believes in the “destruction” of Israel as a state and that attempting to do so through Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis.
The British foreign secretary noted that Iran’s support for the militant groups in the region is “deeply troubling” and “destabilizing” for the region.