A senior Hamas official stated in an interview with the Saudi newspaper A-sharq that there is 'an excellent opportunity to announce an agreement with Israel and understandings for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.'
He mentioned, "If Trump succeeds in preventing Netanyahu from evading or blocking, then we are facing a three-phase deal and a gradual ceasefire agreement, maybe even before Trump's inauguration on January 20."
Sources familiar with the negotiation details informed the Saudi newspaper of 'significant progress in the ceasefire talks,' noting that "the negotiation is conducted very discreetly.' They stated, 'Last week, Hamas handed over a list of names of living Israeli hostages as a first step toward a hostage deal and ceasefire."
Meanwhile, in a statement marking the 37th anniversary of the movement's establishment, Hamas (Saturday) indicated its openness to any new and genuine initiative aimed at bringing an end to the 'aggression and occupation crimes' against the Palestinian people, alongside adhering to fundamental principles, loyalty to the blood of the martyrs, demanding the return of displaced persons, the reconstruction of Gaza, and conducting a 'serious' exchange deal.
In this context, Hamas emphasized that it is making great efforts to bring an end to the "aggression and alleviate the suffering of our people, and it has approached all initiatives with utmost positive attitude and utmost responsibility."
Hamas further stressed that Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are at the heart of the conflict, and that there will be no legitimacy or sovereignty for the occupation in these places, Israel will not succeed in Judaizing them, and the Palestinian people will continue their struggle for their liberation from 'the filth of the occupation.