GAZA, (PIC)
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said his Movement and other Palestinian factions held a series of intensive meetings with mediators over the past week to discuss mechanisms for implementing the Gaza peace plan, adding that the consultations resulted in important understandings with the three mediating countries: Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.
Speaking on Monday, Qassem said the understandings addressed the completion of the first phase of the agreement as well as the development of mechanisms for the second phase, including several sensitive issues. These include enabling the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to assume governance and administrative responsibilities across all sectors, including security affairs, in addition to arrangements concerning Palestinian weapons.
He noted that the understandings emerged from extensive consultations among Palestinian factions that participated in meetings held in Cairo. According to Qassem, the mediators expressed satisfaction with the factions’ positions and responses, viewing them as a positive foundation for reaching a comprehensive agreement.
Qassem added that Hamas and the Palestinian factions informed the mediators that responsibility for advancing the process now rests with them, as well as with the Peace Council and its envoy, Nikolay Mladenov, urging them to exert pressure on Israel to halt violations and adhere to the agreed understandings.
He said Mladenov’s recent visit to Cairo and his meetings with Palestinian factions, including Hamas, included proposals that differed from previous understandings reached with the mediators. According to Qassem, those proposals complicated negotiations and hindered efforts to reach a final agreement at that stage.
Qassem further stated that Hamas believes Mladenov continues to approach the issue from a perspective closely aligned with the Israeli position, which, he said, was reflected in the proposals presented during recent discussions.
He stressed that Palestinian factions have continued both internal and bilateral consultations to study Mladenov’s proposal and formulate a unified position that serves Palestinian interests, contributes to ending the war in Gaza, and opens the door for humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts.
Qassem said the primary objective of these efforts is to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and create conditions for stability, helping address the humanitarian and economic consequences of the war.