Hamas says open to agreements on permanent ceasefire in Gaza

GAZA - Hamas expressed on Tuesday its openness to any agreements or ideas for establishing a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said in a televised speech that the movement is open to any agreements or ideas that would end the suffering of the people in Gaza and establish a permanent ceasefire.

Abu Zuhri added that the agreements or ideas should include the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the entire Gaza Strip, the lifting of the blockade, and the provision of relief, support, and shelter for the population, as well as reconstruction and a serious prisoner swap deal.

He added that the movement has responded to mediators' requests to discuss new proposals regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. The Hamas official noted that his group has already held some meetings on this topic and that additional meetings will follow.

On Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi announced a proposal for a two-day ceasefire in Gaza to exchange four Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, with plans for negotiations within ten days to work toward a permanent truce.

Sisi's announcement came as efforts continue to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Recently, a Hamas delegation discussed "ways to overcome obstacles" blocking the truce in Cairo.

Since the outbreak of the conflict between Hamas and Israel in October last year, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been working to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza.

Several rounds of talks in this regard have been held in Doha and Cairo over the past months but failed to produce any serious agreements to end the yearlong conflict.