In a statement , Hamas leader Izzat al-Rishq expressed the movement's astonishment at these statements, noting that Trump and Witkoff made their statements at a time when the mediating parties, particularly Qatar and Egypt, were "expressing their satisfaction and appreciation for Hamas's serious and constructive position."
Al-Rashq emphasized that the American statements "overlook the real obstacle to all agreements, namely the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which is placing obstacles and evading its commitments."
He stressed that Hamas has acted "with national responsibility and high flexibility since the beginning of the negotiations, and has been keen to reach a comprehensive agreement that would halt the aggression and alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza."
He explained that the movement responded to the ceasefire proposal "after extensive national consultations with Palestinian factions, mediators, and friendly countries," noting that Hamas responded positively to the comments within the framework of the Witkoff document, "while emphasizing only the need for clarity in the terms, particularly with regard to the humanitarian aspect and ensuring the flow of aid through the United Nations without Israeli interference."
The movement also sought to "reduce the depth of the buffer zones where the occupation will remain for 60 days, and avoid densely populated areas to ensure the return of residents to their homes," according to Al-Rashq.
Al-Rashq called on the US administration to stop "exonerating the occupation and providing it with political and military cover to continue its war of extermination and starvation against more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip." He called for a real role in pressuring the occupation government to engage seriously in reaching an agreement that would end the aggression and achieve a prisoner exchange deal.
Concluding his statement, the Hamas leader denied US accusations that the movement was stealing aid, asserting that they were "baseless and false."
On Friday, the day after the US and Israeli delegations withdrew from the Doha negotiations, Trump claimed that Hamas "didn't really want to reach a deal," while Witkoff claimed Thursday evening that the movement's recent response to the Gaza ceasefire proposal shows its "unwillingness to reach an agreement."
This comes as Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its willingness to release Israeli prisoners "in bulk" in exchange for an end to the genocide and the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from Gaza.
Since July 6, indirect negotiations have been underway in Doha between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Qatar and Egypt and supported by the United States, to conclude a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with US support, has been waging a genocidal war in Gaza, leaving more than 203,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 9,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and famine has claimed many lives.
