The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) stated that its recent acceptance of the ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators came after “months of negotiations.”

Lebanon-based senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said in a press conference today that Hamas has shown “positive and responsible spirit” during the many rounds of negotiations while also safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people.

Hamdan added the Hamas sees the negotiations as a success, as the accepted proposal outlines the complete cessation of hostilities in the Strip, the withdrawal of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) from Gaza, and the return of the displaced residents to their homes.

“The ball is now in Netanyahu's court and his extremist government's hands,” declared Hamdan.

The ceasefire will be implemented across three stages – according to the proposal agreed upon by Hamas, with Hamdan adding that this practice thwarts the Israeli Occupation’s attempt to release all the captives held in Gaza in one go, after which it goes back to belligerency against the Gaza Strip.

The invasion and the occupation of Rafah Border Crossing aims to exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and is a blatant attempt to sabotage the mediation efforts to reach an agreement, according to Hamas, adding that it is a crime and “serious escalation” against a civilian facility protected by international law – said the senior Hamas leader.

A Hamas delegation is heading to Cairo, Egypt; a move that shows the movement’s seriousness in cooperating with the mediators to finalize the agreement.