A Hamas official said on Monday that the group has been showing “flexibility” in Gaza ceasefire deal talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators as well as in its direct talks with the US.
“We have shown flexibility in dealing with the efforts of mediators and Trump’s envoy, and we are awaiting the results of the upcoming negotiations to ensure Israel abides by the agreement and proceeds to the second phase,” said Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou, according to The Cradle.
“The negotiations conducted with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, as well as Trump’s envoy, are centered on ending the war, withdrawal, and reconstruction. We have fully committed to the first phase of the agreement, and our priority now is to shelter and provide relief to our people while ensuring a permanent ceasefire,” Qanou added.
The US official who held direct talks with Hamas, Adam Boehler, President Trump’s special envoy for hostages, defended the decision in the face of Israeli criticism and said that he thought there was a chance a long-term deal could be reached. But on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the engagement with Hamas as a “one-off” that didn’t make any progress.
“That was a one-off situation in which our special envoy for hostages, whose job it is to get people released, had an opportunity to talk directly to someone who has control over these people and was given permission and encouraged to do so. He did so,” Rubio said.
“As of now, it hasn’t borne fruit. Doesn’t mean he was wrong to try, but our primary vehicle for negotiations on this front will continue to be Mr. Witkoff and the work he’s doing through Qatar,” Rubio added, referring to President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Both Rubio and Witkoff are headed to Saudi Arabia to meet with Ukrainian officials. From there, Witkoff is expected to travel to Qatar for talks on Gaza, and he said on Monday that a “deadline” is needed for the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Israel has been tightening its blockade on Gaza and cut electricity on Sunday, using collective punishment in an attempt to pressure Hamas to agree to release more hostages without a full Israeli withdrawal and commitment to a permanent truce. Hamas continues to insist that it wants to enter the second phase of the initial ceasefire deal, which Israel has violated.
Qanou said that Hamas wouldn’t give in to the Israeli pressure. “Israel’s talk of military plans to resume fighting in Gaza and its decision to cut off electricity are failed options that pose a threat to its captives, who will only be freed through negotiations,” he said.
