Hamas says it is ready to implement Biden’s ceasefire plan “immediately”

September 12 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Wednesday expressed its willingness to “immediately” implement the ceasefire and hostage release plan presented in May by US President Joe Biden, which consisted of three phases.

“We confirm our readiness to immediately implement the ceasefire agreement based on President Biden’s announcement on May 31 and on UN Security Council Resolution 2735 and what was previously agreed, especially in the July 2 agreements, without setting new demands, while rejecting any new conditions to this agreement by any of the parties,” Hamas said in a statement reported by the Palestinian daily ‘Filastín’, which is close to the group.

He then again rejected any negotiations related to the post-conflict scenario, stating that it is “an internal Palestinian matter” for which a national unity agreement has already been signed by numerous Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Al Fatah.

The Islamist group also reported that one of its negotiating delegations met throughout the day with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohamed Abdulrahman al Thani, and with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel.

During the meeting, Hamas stressed its “flexibility” and “positivity” in achieving a ceasefire agreement and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

Biden’s plan for a truce is built around three phrases, the first of which would last for six weeks. During this period, Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza and several Palestinian prisoners would be released in exchange for the handover of vulnerable hostages.

In a second phase, the remaining hostages would be released, as part of a permanent end to hostilities, while the third and final phase would involve the start of reconstruction of the Strip and the delivery of the bodies of the hostages who have already died.