GAZA, (PIC)
Senior Hamas official Abdulrahman Shadid announced that the Movement is prepared to enter the second phase of negotiations, stressing that progress depends on Israel demonstrating a genuine commitment to implementing the terms of the first phase of the agreement.
In a press statement, Shadid said the response by Palestinian resistance factions reflected “national responsibility and flexibility” and came in appreciation of mediation efforts. He emphasized that Hamas has not set any new preconditions for entering second-phase negotiations beyond what was already agreed upon.
He stated that moving forward requires Israel to halt daily killings in the Gaza Strip, allow humanitarian aid into the territory, and permit wounded Palestinians to leave through the Rafah crossing in accordance with the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement.
Shadid questioned the value of entering a second phase while Israel, he said, continues to violate the first phase through ongoing killings, starvation policies, and preventing the wounded from receiving treatment.
Regarding the issue of weapons, he stressed that resistance arms are a fundamental right of the Palestinian people and cannot be relinquished while Israeli occupation policies continue. At the same time, he said Palestinian factions are willing to address the matter within a unified national framework that protects Palestinian political rights.
He added that resistance weapons are used to defend Palestinians under international law, contrasting this with what he described as Israel arming settlers who commit violations against Palestinians.
Shadid also addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, accusing Israel of continuing what he described as “genocide” through siege, starvation, killings, and depriving more than two million people of basic rights. He called on the international community to treat the situation in Gaza as a major humanitarian crime and to take a clear stance to stop the violations.
In a related statement, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem confirmed that the Movement had submitted a positive response to proposals presented by mediators as negotiations continue in Cairo with a delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya.
Qassem said Hamas is closely following negotiations to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, particularly the humanitarian commitments of the first phase and ending Israeli violations.
He added that mediators had introduced several proposals that Hamas dealt with positively in an effort to establish mechanisms guaranteeing implementation of the agreement, noting that consultations are ongoing to reach practical understandings that serve the Palestinian people.
The Movement previously stated that it held intensive meetings and consultations in Cairo with mediators and Palestinian factions to discuss completing the first phase and preparing for the second phase, reaffirming its commitment to continuing negotiations to overcome obstacles.
Qassem also revealed that a Hamas delegation headed by Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya is currently holding meetings in Cairo with mediators and guarantor states to discuss mechanisms for fully implementing the Gaza agreement.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Qassem said ongoing contacts and negotiations between Palestinian factions and mediators are focused on ensuring implementation of the humanitarian provisions of the first phase while discussing the transition to second-phase talks through different tracks.
The agreement entered into force in October 2025 following a nearly two-year Israeli war on Gaza that killed more than 72,000 people and injured around 172,000 others while causing widespread destruction to infrastructure.
On September 29, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a plan to end the war, including a ceasefire in its first phase, a partial Israeli withdrawal, prisoner exchanges, and the entry of hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza.