Hamas official says group open to ‘any deal’ that will lead to a ‘permanent ceasefire’

A senior Hamas official says the terror group is studying new proposals from mediators to end the war in Gaza, but reiterates that these should entail a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Strip.

“The movement has confirmed it is open to any deal or ideas that ends the suffering of our people in Gaza and achieve a permanent ceasefire, and the occupation’s withdrawal from all of Gaza Strip,” Sami Abu Zuhri says in a televised speech.

He also says an agreement must end the blockade of the Strip, allow unrestricted relief aid and a reconstruction of Gaza, and achieve a swap of Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, largely in line with Hamas demands over the past year.

A Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson says Doha will work as a mediator along with US President Joe Biden’s administration “until the last minute” before the November 5 presidential election to reach a ceasefire deal.

“We don’t foresee any negative result of the elections on the mediation process itself. We believe we are dealing with institutions, and in a country like the United States the institutions are invested in finding a resolution to this crisis,” spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari tells a press conference.