Statements from Husam Bedran on Negotiations
Making important statements regarding the course of the negotiations at the Hamas Political Office, Hussam Bedran made assessments to an AA correspondent in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Bedran emphasized that Israel’s stance in the negotiations was not sincere in seeking an agreement and made the following statements:
“As you know, we have been conducting negotiations for months, not directly, but through mediators. The occupying Israel, led by Netanyahu, does not want to reach any agreement. Everyone who mediated the negotiations and followed the process clearly saw and understood this .”
Criticizing Netanyahu’s additional demands following the ceasefire proposal presented by US President Joe Biden on July 2, Bedran said, “In the negotiations that took place in the last two weeks, Netanyahu presented new demands that we could not accept, in response to some of the “Proposals that we and the mediators discussed. These demands had never been on the agenda before and there were issues that we could not agree on. Then, they told us, ‘You are not willing to make an agreement.'”
Bedran stated that the decision of the Israeli Political and Security Cabinet not to withdraw troops from the Philadelphia Corridor contradicts all the proposals discussed in the negotiations and added:
“Netanyahu’s conditions are aimed at continuing the occupation of Gaza, not concluding negotiations.”
Emphasizing that they will continue their determination in the negotiations, Bedran said, “We are never changing our stance depending on the negotiations and we will not change it. We declare this to all parties.” Stating that they are struggling to defend the rights of the Palestinian people, Bedran said, “We are not two states with adjacent borders; we, as Palestinians, are a people living under occupation. The resistance of our people continues in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and will not stop. We will continue to remain in the square of resistance, and at the same time we are trying to reach the same goal by holding negotiations. We know what our people want and we are striving for the freedom of ours. people with our power and means.”
Stating that the main reason for the disagreements in the negotiations was not the prisoner exchange but the Philadelphia Corridor issue, Bedran said, “The exchange of prisoners is an important issue for us. The occupiers claim that the prisoner exchange is the biggest obstacle to the agreement. However, this is a lie and deception. We also want to save thousands of our prisoners, but the real disagreement is the corridor issue.”
Emphasizing that the Aqsa Flood operation on October 7 was a defensive action for the Palestinians, Bedran said, “The Aqsa Flood is a step for the Palestinians to defend themselves. This resistance reintroduced the Palestinian cause to the world. Because the occupying Israel was trying To eliminate the freedom of Palestine. Since October 7, the Israeli army has continued its attacks without distinguishing between civilians, women, children and the elderly. The whole world should understand that we have been. “living under occupation here for years and that we have been massacred. If the world wants to stop this bloodshed, Israel should stop its attacks and recognize the freedom of the Palestinians.”
Drawing attention to the need for increased solidarity and support for the Palestinian cause, Bedran said, “First of all, I would like to address the Islamic world. The Palestinian cause is a common cause for all Muslims. We expect the administrators and peoples of the Islamic world to increase their support for the Palestinian cause in the face of all difficulties.”
Stating that Turkey has always stood by the Palestinians, Bedran said, “What is happening in Gaza is an unprecedented situation. Some European states, especially America, strongly support Israel. In this sense, we appreciate the support and effort Turkey has shown us. “We always feel Turkey’s political stance. However, during this sensitive period, we want our brothers in Turkey and Arab and Islamic countries to exert more political effort in supporting our people.”
Hamas rejected the new ceasefire proposal that would “make the Israeli occupation permanent.” Stating that they are committed to US President Biden’s July 2 proposal, the Hamas Movement rejected the new proposal presented to them in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on the grounds that the occupation would become permanent and that the Israeli military presence would continue in the Philadelphi Corridor. Emphasizing that any agreement must include a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Hamas explained that the proposal in Cairo did not include these elements.
Netanyahu has put forward conditions for a possible prisoner swap and ceasefire agreement, including the continuation of the occupation of the Netzarim Corridor, which separates the north and south of the Gaza Strip, and the Philadelphi Corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border. The Israeli Security Cabinet has reportedly approved the continued presence of Israeli troops in the Philadelphia Corridor.
