Hamas has ‘not closed the door’ on talks, official says

Hamas open to negotiations after Israel's intense bombardment, calls for implementation of existing ceasefire agreement.

Hamas has not shut the door on negotiations, an official from the Palestinian Islamist group said Wednesday (March 19, 2025), after Israel launched its most intense bombardment of Gaza since a January 19 ceasefire.

“Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations but we insist there is no need for new agreements,” Taher al-Nunu told AFP on the phone from Cairo, also calling for Israel to be forced to implement the ceasefire.

“There is no need for new agreements in light of the existing agreement signed by all parties,” he added.

Under the ceasefire deal drafted under former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, a second phase of the truce should have begun in early March.

The agreement stipulated that Israeli forces should withdraw from Gaza and that a more lasting ceasefire should take effect during a second phase.

“We have no conditions, but we demand that the occupation be compelled to immediately halt its aggression and war of extermination, and begin the second phase of negotiations,” Mr. Nunu said.

He called on the international community to “take urgent action” to end the war, while accusing Israel of “violating the ceasefire agreement it signed”.