Hamas says 'ready for ceasefire' as Israel presses Gaza campaign
The Hindu
Hamas ready for Gaza ceasefire, urges Trump to pressure Israel; Qatar suspends mediation role in war negotiations.
A senior Hamas official on Friday (November 15, 2024) said the group is "ready for a ceasefire" in Gaza, urging U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to "pressure" Israel as it continued to pound the Palestinian territory.
It comes nearly a week after Qatar, which hosts much of the Palestinian group's political bureau, announced it was suspending its role as a mediator in the war and urging all parties to show "seriousness".
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"Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire proposal is presented and on the condition that it is respected" by Israel, Doha-based Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told AFP.
"We call on the U.S. administration and Mr. Trump to pressure the Israeli government to end the aggression."
On Saturday, Qatar announced it was suspending its role as a mediator in indirect talks towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza war that has ground on for more than a year.
"Qatar would resume those efforts... when the parties show their willingness and seriousness," Doha's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said in a statement.
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