Hamas is saying that it is committed to implementing the ceasefire agreement. This comes days after terrorists killed two Israeli soldiers in Gaza, and the IDF carried out airstrikes.
The comments by Khalil al-Hayya, a Hamas official who is the head of its negotiating delegation, seek to paint Hamas as seeking to continue along the process of the US-backed agreement.
The US achieved a ceasefire in Gaza after talks progressed on October 8. The ceasefire began on October 13, and Hamas handed over 20 living hostages.
Hamas, however, has not returned all the deceased hostages. Fifteen deceased hostages are still in Gaza.
Hamas issues messages that make it seem it is committed to US President Donald Trump’s deal. The comments by Hayya were published by Saudi-based news channel Al Arabiya.
“We have a strong will to fully implement the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas was quoted as saying.
This comes as US Vice President JD Vance is in Israel, and also as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with released hostages. The US wants Israel to abide by the ceasefire.
“Al-Hayya expressed relief over assurances from mediators and US President Donald Trump confirming the end of the Gaza war,” Al Arabiya reported. “What we heard from the mediators and the US president reassures us that the war in Gaza is over,” he said.
“The major international demonstration sponsored by Egypt, attended by the US President, confirms that the war in Gaza is over,” Al-Hayya said, referring to the peace conference in Sharm el-Sheikh held earlier in October.
The German Press Agency reported: “Hamas is serious about extracting the bodies of all the detained Israeli prisoners... the efforts are still facing great difficulties due to the widespread destruction caused by the war in various areas of the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas wants to see more aid entering Gaza.
“Hamas is engaging positively with all international efforts aimed at consolidating the ceasefire and gradually restoring civilian life in Gaza,” Al-Hayya was quoted as saying.
Egypt and Qatar are both seeking to make sure the ceasefire continues.
“Al-Hayya’s statements are seen as an attempt to reassure international mediators and affirm Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement at a time when pressure is mounting to ensure continued calm and prepare the ground for the start of the reconstruction phase and the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip’s destroyed infrastructure,” Al Arabiya reported.
This is clearly a message by Hamas designed to make it seem it is committed to the US deal. In Gaza, however, Hamas continues to cement itself in power. It also appears unwilling to disarm.
On the other hand, it appears Hamas is also cutting down on public executions, seeking to portray itself as doing things normally. The attack on IDF soldiers on Sunday, October 19, is being portrayed as having been carried out by rogue elements.