Hamas Committed to Truce and Prisoner Exchange if Israel Adheres, Says Haniyeh

Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas, affirmed in a recorded statement on Friday that the movement is committed to the truce and prisoner exchange agreement as long as Israel adheres to it. Haniyeh stated that Hamas is ready to work with Egypt and Qatar to achieve a complete cessation of the Israeli offensive on Gaza and address its medical and basic needs.

Furthermore, Haniyeh emphasized that Hamas would not abandon its positions or responsibilities towards Palestinians before, during, or after the conflict. He also highlighted the importance of ongoing Arab and Islamic efforts to enable Palestinians to achieve their aspirations for freedom, return, and independence.

Humanitarian Truce

The truce between Israel and Hamas, reached on Wednesday through mediation by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, began on Friday. It aims to facilitate the release of prisoners in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

The humanitarian truce commenced at 7:00 AM on Friday (05:00 GMT), with the first batch of civilian prisoners from Gaza scheduled to be released at 4:00 PM (14:00 GMT) the same day.

This development marks a significant step in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the potential to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The truce is a testament to the diplomatic efforts of the involved nations and the commitment of both parties to adhere to the agreement. It also underscores the critical role of international mediation in resolving complex geopolitical issues in the region.