⁤Hamas, through it’s senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, is demanding firm guarantees‍ from the United States and other⁤ mediating nations that any ceasefire agreement will definitively end the ongoing war in Gaza. This demand, voiced ⁣on Tuesday, ‍February 27, 2024, during indirect talks with Israel in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, stems from a ⁣deep-seated distrust of Israel’s commitment to upholding agreements.
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Al Jazeera reports on ⁣these developments.

‍ Al-Hayya, speaking to Egyptian⁤ state-linked media Al-Qahera News, explicitly stated, “We do not trust the ⁣occupation, not even for a ⁣second,” referring ⁢to Israel. He cited a history of broken promises and specifically referenced two ⁤ceasefire violations during the current conflict ⁤as ‍evidence‍ of‍ israel’s unreliability.Reuters provides further details on al-Hayya’s statements.

Context ⁤of the Negotiations

The current round of indirect⁤ negotiations,⁤ beginning on Monday, February 26, 2024, centers around a proposal⁤ put forward by former U.S.President Donald Trump. The details of Trump’s⁣ plan ⁣remain largely undisclosed, but it ⁢is intended to facilitate an end to the war.NBC News covers the ongoing negotiations and Trump’s ⁤involvement.
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⁢ Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, maintains that the war⁢ will continue until all hostages held by‍ Hamas are released and⁣ the organization is⁣ disarmed. Netanyahu faces accusations of committing ⁢genocide in Gaza, a charge⁣ he and his government vehemently deny.