Palestinian groups insist on withdrawal from Gaza, prisoner exchange in cease-fire talks
Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip reaffirmed Saturday that any cease-fire agreement with Israel must include the end of Israeli military operations and a lifting of the blockade
“There will be no agreement or deal unless our people's demands are met, including ending the aggression, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, opening the crossings, breaking the blockade, reconstruction, and a serious prisoner exchange,” the unnamed factions said in a statement that was shared by Hamas on Telegram.
The statement emphasized that Palestinians alone had the right to determine Gaza's post-war future and warned against external attempts to impose an alternative administration, saying such efforts would be treated as occupation acts.
Despite mediation efforts for months and the presentation of multiple proposals to end the onslaught against Gaza and exchange prisoners, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to impose new conditions.
The conditions were previously cautioned by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Mossad chief David Barnea that they could hinder the agreement process.
They include continued control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, the Rafah crossing in Gaza and preventing the return of Palestinian militants to northern Gaza -- through inspection of returnees via the Netzarim corridor.
Hamas insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a total cessation of hostilities as a prerequisite for accepting any agreement.
Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza following an attack by Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
More than 41,800 victims have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 96,800 injured, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.
Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
