The leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas", Osama Hamdan, confirmed that the movement showed responsiveness and positivity towards all the ideas proposed for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stressing at the same time that Hamas is ready for "a fair deal to exchange prisoners."

Immediately after the adoption of the draft Security Council resolution, the Hamas movement confirmed its readiness to cooperate with the mediators to enter into direct negotiations on implementing the principles that are consistent with the demands of the Palestinian people and their resistance.

“Blinken is one of the obstacles to the agreement.”

In an interview with Al-Arabi, leader Osama Hamdan said that the UN Security Council resolution, despite its shortcomings, confirms a permanent cessation of fighting and the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.

He believed that the Security Council resolution contains points that the movement does not accept, but he stressed that the basic points are positive.

He noted that the Security Council resolution would not take effect on the ground unless the occupation agreed to it.

Yesterday, Monday, the UN Security Council adopted a draft resolution drafted by Washington supporting a proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in Gaza, while Russia abstained from voting.

Hamdan considered, “US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is one of the obstacles to obstructing reaching an agreement because he only acts in accordance with what Israel wants.”

He noted that "the problem throughout the scene is the American position, and Blinken must be more precise."

Hamdan said: “We are waiting for an American announcement to pressure Israel to agree to the proposal,” noting that attempts to pressure the mediators will be of no use in changing the position of Hamas.

The Israeli occupation forces have continued their aggression on land, sea and air against the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the death of 37,124 Palestinians and the injury of 84,712 others.

“Netanyahu is committed to the ceasefire proposal.”

In a related context, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “reaffirmed his commitment” to the ceasefire proposal in Gaza during their meeting in occupied Jerusalem.

Blinken said: “I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night and he reaffirmed his commitment to the proposal,” adding that Hamas’s welcome of the ceasefire resolution that the UN Security Council voted on Monday is a sign of “hope,” as he described it.

He added: "It is a hopeful sign, just as the statement issued after President (Joe) Biden presented his proposal ten days ago was a hopeful sign," and added: "We are awaiting the response from Hamas."

Israel has also not yet officially announced its acceptance of the ceasefire proposal, which Biden revealed on May 31.

Biden presented what he described as a three-stage Israeli plan that would end the war, release all detainees, and rebuild the Gaza Strip without Hamas in power. But shortly after that, Netanyahu said it was “incomplete.”

According to the US Secretary of State, the military approach was not “sufficient, and a clear political plan and a clear humanitarian plan must be developed to ensure that Hamas does not in any way control Gaza and that Israel is able to move forward towards more sustainable security.”

Gantz supports a proposal for a truce from outside the government

Meanwhile, the leader of the National Unity Party in Israel, Benny Gantz, said on Tuesday that he had informed US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken that his party would support from outside the government the proposal to exchange detainees with Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Gantz said in a post on the “X” platform: “I met today (Tuesday) with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken,” without specifying the location of the meeting.

Gantz added: "I reiterated the necessity of exerting maximum pressure in particular on the negotiators during these times, to ensure that Hamas agrees to the arrangement for the repatriation of the hostages, and I added that the party will support any responsible arrangement in this matter from outside the government."

Gantz noted that he stressed during the meeting, "that the United States and the international community have an important role in eliminating the threat posed by Hezbollah on Israel's northern border."

On Sunday evening, Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot announced their resignation from the emergency government, accusing Netanyahu of failing to achieve the declared goals of the war on Gaza, especially eliminating Hamas and returning detainees from the Strip.

The two partner ministers in the State Camp party (12 out of 120 representatives in the Knesset) also accused Netanyahu of following policies that serve his own political interests.

On May 19, Gantz gave Netanyahu a deadline until June 8 to develop a clear strategy for the war on Gaza and beyond, otherwise he will resign from the government.