Hamas insists on permanent ceasefire, withdrawal for deal to end war

Thick smoke billows from a residential building in Bureij refugee camp, after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike. Omar Naaman/dpa

Palestinian Islamists Hamas say they are sticking to their demands and will only agree to a deal to end the Gaza war if it includes a permanent ceasefire.

In addition, the Israeli military would have to withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip, a representative of the Islamist organization emphasized at a press conference on Tuesday evening in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

If the Israeli side does not agree to these points, no agreement Could be reached.

Hamas is waiting for the Israelis' response. Hamas representatives have made similar demands several times in the past.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden unexpectedly presented details of a draft agreement to end the war in three phases, starting with a complete and unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks.

During this period, a certain group of hostages would be released. In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released.

In the next phase, the fighting would then stop permanently and the remaining hostages would be released.

In a final phase, according to the draft, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip should begin.

Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel traveled to Qatar on Wednesday for mediation talks. He is expected to meet with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the head of the US foreign intelligence service CIA, William Burns, according to Egyptian information.

For months, Qatar, the US and Egypt have been indirectly mediating between Israel and Hamas in order to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

People watch as a residential building is hit by an Israeli airstrike in Bureij refugee camp. Omar Naaman/dpa
Smoke and flames rise from a residential building hit by an Israeli airstrike in Bureij refugee camp. Omar Naaman/dpa