Have Negotiations Around Gaza Stalled? Conflicting Statements Arise from HAMAS

The Palestinian HAMAS movement has denied reports suggesting that it has decided to halt indirect negotiations with the Israeli side regarding the resolution of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. According to Report, this was stated by the official representative of the radical movement, Izzat al-Rishq, whose words were quoted on HAMAS's Telegram channel.

“What has been published by the French agency and circulated by some media regarding HAMAS’s decision to suspend negotiations for the resolution of Gaza in response to the Israeli forces' attack near Khan Younis has no basis,” he said.

Earlier, a senior representative of HAMAS had announced the Palestinian radical movement's decision to halt negotiations regarding a ceasefire in Gaza due to Israel's stance, as reported by Agence France-Presse.

“The head of HAMAS's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, informed mediators and interested parties in the region during a series of phone calls about the movement’s decision to suspend negotiations,” the HAMAS representative noted, explaining this intention by citing Israel's alleged “unserious attitude” towards the negotiations and “massive killings of the civilian population.”

On July 13, Israeli forces targeted an area near Khan Younis in southern Gaza where there were tents for the temporarily displaced. According to the enclave's health ministry, the attack resulted in the deaths of 90 Palestinians and injuries to approximately 300 others. Al Hadath television reported that the main target of the strike was the elimination of Mohamed Deif, the head of HAMAS's military wing.

The Israeli Defense Forces' press service stated that HAMAS radicals were hiding among the civilian population and that the strike was directed at an open area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed during a press conference that the target of the strike was Deif, although he noted that there is yet no confirmation of his elimination, expressing that this strike marks a turning point in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Later, a member of HAMAS's political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya, issued a statement claiming that the movement has shown flexibility during negotiations, whereas Israeli forces conducted bombardments in the Khan Younis area. Al-Hayya stated that more than half of the 120 hostages previously held by the extremists in Gaza had died as a result of Israeli military actions. He expressed confidence that the Israeli Prime Minister does not wish to reach an agreement and is unconcerned about the fate of the hostages.