Hamas leader: ‘US, mediators guaranteed end of war’
Hamas leader Dr. Khalil al-Hayya has announced the initiation of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that mediators, including the US administration, have assured that the war has definitively ceased.
In a televised address on Thursday evening detailing the ceasefire agreement, al-Hayya expressed gratitude toward the people of Gaza for their resilience in the face of Israel’s genocidal war.
“We have received guarantees from our brothers, the mediators and the US administration, all confirming that the war has ended completely,” al-Hayya stated.
He said the people of Gaza were engaged in a war with no parallel on the global scale.
Al-Hayya added that the people of Gaza have confronted the Israeli regime’s oppression and atrocities, and astonished the world with their courage and resilience.
“Gaza residents fought in a war unprecedented in the world and faced the enemy’s tyranny, military actions and massacres,” he said.
He urged continued coordination with national and Islamic factions to ensure the successful implementation of the remaining steps outlined in the agreement.
The Hamas leader also expressed his appreciation to allies in Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq for supporting Gaza.
He honored the martyred commanders, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, Saleh al-Arouri, and Ismail Haniyeh, describing them as martyrs of the nation.
The agreement outlines a series of immediate actions. The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the reopening of the Rafah crossing, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.
A significant aspect of the ceasefire is a prisoner exchange, which involves the release of 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained following the start of the war on October 7, 2023.
Al-Hayya’s announcement follows a 20-point ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which includes the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the establishment of a new governing body in Gaza that excludes Hamas.
This plan also envisions a security force made up of Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic nations, emphasizing the need for reconstruction and stability in the strip.
“We dealt with the US president’s plan with high responsibility, and delivered a response that serves our people and prevents further bloodshed,” al-Hayya stated.
Most of social media users have urged legal action against Israelis who ordered and perpetrated war crimes in Gaza.
Hamas has demanded the release of long-imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti and other high-profile prisoners, including Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Secretary-General Ahmad Saadat and chief Qassam Brigades engineer and leader, Abdullah Barghouti.
Senior Hamas leader Abbas al-Sayed is also on the list. Additionally, the resistance group is demanding the bodies of assassinated Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and his younger brother Mohammad.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces will begin a phased withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. However, it remains unclear what the withdrawal lines will be during the initial phase.
Since October 2023, Israeli forces have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, over 80 percent of whom are believed to be civilians, according to leaked data from the Israeli military.
The assault also caused widespread famine and led to the destruction or damage of nearly every standing structure in Gaza – including homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches.
Numerous international bodies, UN experts, and countries have classified Israel’s actions in Gaza as acts of genocide against the Palestinian people.
