Hamas leader Suhail al-Hindi confirmed on Friday that there was a "positive spirit" during the movement's recent talks with mediators to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, at a time when "talks have intensified in recent days."

A member of Hamas's political bureau told Al-Arabiya TV: "We are open to talks if the enemy commits," adding that Hamas "does not raise the white flag before the enemy, but we are seeking a real deal" to end the Israeli aggression and exchange prisoners.

"Ready to hand over power"

Al-Hindi explained that Hamas is prepared to hand over control of the Gaza Strip to the Community Support Committee, stressing, "We have informed the mediators of this."

The Hamas leader stressed that "the movement's ultimate goal is to stop the bloodshed and rebuild the Gaza Strip."

Sources close to Hamas told Agence France-Presse that talks began Thursday evening in Doha between the Palestinian movement and mediators from Egypt and Qatar, with the aim of reviving the ceasefire and securing the release of Israeli detainees held by Palestinian resistance groups.

For his part, Hamas Political Bureau member Bassem Naim confirmed on Friday that talks between the movement and mediators to resume the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have "intensified in recent days."

"We hope that the next few days will witness a real breakthrough in the war situation, after contacts with and from mediators intensified in recent days," Naim said in a statement.

In this context, Naim explained that the proposal being negotiated "aims to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, allow in aid, and, most importantly, return to negotiations on the second phase, which must lead to a complete cessation of the war and the withdrawal of the occupation forces."

The first phase has ended

Earlier this month, the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel concluded. The agreement, which went into effect on January 19, 2025, was brokered by Egypt and Qatar and supported by the United States.

While Hamas has adhered to the terms of the first phase, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, has reneged on the start of the second phase in deference to extremists in his ruling coalition, according to Hebrew media.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced on Friday that the death toll from the Israeli genocide has risen to 50,251 martyrs and 114,025 injuries since October 7, 2023. In a daily statistical report, the ministry said, "43 martyrs, including two cases pulled from the rubble, and 115 injuries have arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals in the past 24 hours."