The movement said in a statement: "We affirm our readiness to immediately re-engage in negotiations once aid reaches those who deserve it and the humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza are brought to an end." It added that "continuing negotiations under conditions of starvation renders them meaningless, especially after the occupation withdrew from the previous round of negotiations without justification, even though we were on the verge of reaching an agreement."
Hamas called on the international community and all concerned parties to "take immediate action to stop the mass massacres in Gaza, ensure the unconditional delivery of food supplies to all areas of the Strip, and provide them with protection."
Meanwhile, the official Israeli channel Kan reported that Israel had presented a "new document" to mediators in an attempt to revive prisoner exchange negotiations with Palestinian factions. No details were provided regarding the document's content, nor did the mediators confirm receipt of it.
The channel quoted an Israeli political source as saying that the document "was presented despite Hamas's refusal to return to the negotiating table as long as starvation continues in Gaza." The channel also reported that Tel Aviv had issued a threat through mediators stating that "if the movement does not respond to the proposed new deal in the coming days, Israel will annex the security belt its army has established within the Strip."
Days ago, Israel withdrew from indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar due to Tel Aviv's intransigence on the withdrawal from Gaza, ending the war, Palestinian prisoners, and the aid distribution mechanism.
Hamas has repeatedly declared its willingness to release Israeli prisoners "in one batch" in exchange for an end to the war of genocide, the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation army from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. But Netanyahu, who is wanted by international justice, has evaded the offer by proposing new conditions, including the disarmament of Palestinian factions, and is currently insisting on reoccupying Gaza.
In a related development, Kan Channel reported that US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will visit the Gaza Strip on Friday "to inspect the humanitarian situation and food distribution centers, accompanied by senior Israeli officers and officials."
Hamas on Thursday denounced Witkoff's upcoming visit to the Gaza Strip as a "propaganda stunt" aimed at containing mounting anger over the US-Israeli partnership in starving the Palestinians in the Strip. On Thursday, Witkoff arrived in Israel for an undisclosed visit, during which he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Palestinians assert that the aid distribution mechanism through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has been ongoing since May 27 with Israeli support, aims to gather them and force them to leave their lands, paving the way for the reoccupation of Gaza.
Since the launch of this mechanism, 1,330 Palestinian martyrs and more than 8,818 wounded have arrived at hospitals, as a result of the Israeli occupation army's repeated shooting of Palestinians waiting for aid, according to the Ministry of Health.
On Sunday, the military announced its "authorization" of limited airdrops of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the initiation of what it called a "tactical suspension of military activity" in specific areas of Gaza to allow the passage of aid.
International organizations considered Israel's move to be "promoting the illusion of aid" and "media deception," as its army continues to use starvation as a weapon against Palestinian civilians by closing the crossings to aid since last March.
With American support, Israel is waging a genocidal war in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international appeals and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt the operation. The genocide has left more than 207,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them women and children, and more than 9,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and famine has claimed the lives of many, including dozens of children.
