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.
What does "Flexibility" mean?
Look it up in the dictionary…!
LOL. I know flexibility means. Does hostage taking terrorists who refuse to surrender despite the massive damage done to their country know what the meaning is?
A good source on this is Middle East Eye and its live blog which continually updates. My impression is Hamas is currently "flexible" in for example being willing to stop governing (or be replaced in governing). There has been some talk that it might be willing to lay down arms but I don't believe this, and Hamas has denied it. Hamas is holding to its policy of moving negotiations ahead by moving into phase 2 according to the original agreement in January. A big consideration is that Hamas should leave, as well as lay down its arms. This seems ridiculous. Possibly "flexibility" means Hamas is willing to discuss the absurd ideas as well as its main goal–to protect the people and bring on a ceasefire.
MEE today (live blog):
Water shortage in Gaza reached critical levels, Unicef says
8 hours ago
The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has warned that the severe water shortage in Gaza has reached critical levels, with only one in 10 people currently able to access safe drinking water.
Some 600,000 people regained access to drinking water in November 2024, but it was cut off again, Gaza Unicef official Rosalia Poulin reported.
The situation has deteriorated further after Israeli forces yesterday shut off electricity supplies in Gaza, which disrupted vital water desalination operations.
In the context of the cease fire talks, yes Hamas does know what it means. They wanted a permanent cease fire all along and they certainly moved on that. That's being flexible. Whereas, the real terrorists, Israel, violated the cease fire that was agreed upon from the beginning and shown ZERO flexibility in having any real interest in a phase 2. And now they've taken their barbarity to the next step by cutting off aid completely and recently by shutting off electricity. Something that not only would land them on the US terror list but would undoubtedly have led to a "humanitarian" carpet bombing in their future. Instead, they get more military aid and the ok by the superpower to do as they please.
The link in the Witkoff parag. goes to an Israeli source which indicates it's Witkoff with the Hamas lay down its arms and leave business. Also with a "deadline" on releasing 10 prisoners and the kid Adan. This is what has happened to Trump's hell to pay blustering back a few days. Meanwhile "the terrorists" remain calm and stick to their goals AND the agreement made in January. The conflict between the two envoys suggests the Trump administration doesn't know what it's doing and is floundering. Additionally, there's what I brought up yesterday that Smotrich has a "transportation mission" to deport all Palestinians out of Gaza at the rate of 5000 a day for a year. Looks like a lot of geniuses here trying this and that, completely untrustworthy, and I don't mean Hamas.
Pathetic as usual. Of course they will not compromise on principal. People like you don't compromise on falsehood, why would you expect them to compromise on the truth.
However, as usual to explain it to the people who will come and read afterwards, they have been flexible over the side issues of who is released and when, and whether to make a public scene of the turnover etc. While Israel is at a loss and focusing on form and not function Hamas is focusing on the big prize e.g., the release of the captives for Palestinian prisoners, a full extended ceasefire, a withdrawal from Gaza and rebuilding.
@disqus_qhuce9v5DO:disqus@warsrus:disqus@disqus_KAfPEpsMYs:disqus@disqus_jzsK7ljwo3:disqus @
I'm not sure whether the Israelis know the meaning of the word flexible. Probably not.
Meanwhile the so called civilized and most moral people and military engage in outright theft.
West Bank Bedouin community says Israeli settlers stole hundreds of sheep
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/west-bank-bedouin-community-says-israeli-settlers-stole-hundreds-sheep-2025-03-11/