Hamas, Islamic Jihad demand full 'Israeli' withdrawal in any Gaza ceasefire deal

Hamas and Islamic Jihad said Sunday that any negotiations to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip must result in a complete end to the war, the full withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces, the reopening of border crossings, and the start of reconstruction efforts.

In a joint statement, Hamas said a delegation led by Mohamed Darwish, head of the movement's leadership council, met with Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah to discuss the latest 'Israeli' responses to proposals put forward by mediators and how to respond to them.

The statement reaffirmed the two factions’ unified position that any agreement must end the ongoing war and address the humanitarian and political consequences of 'Israel’s' continued assault on the enclave.

Earlier Sunday, 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to criticism over the captives deal negotiations. In comments to Israeli media, Netanyahu denied claims that his government rejected a proposed agreement, saying, “They [the media] always echo Hamas propaganda, and they are always wrong. We accepted the deal—the one from US envoy Steve Witkoff, and then the revised version proposed by the mediators. We accepted it. Hamas rejected it.”

Read more: Netanyahu claims Hamas rejected proposed deal, insists on remaining in Gaza

Netanyahu claimed Hamas’s goal is to stay in Gaza and wait for 'Israeli' forces to withdraw so it can rearm and launch further attacks. “I will not accept this,” he said. “I’m doing everything I can to bring our hostages home. I meet with their families, I know their pain and suffering, and I’m determined to bring them back and eliminate Hamas.”