Senior Hamas figure Khalil al-Hayya, head of the group’s indirect negotiation team, issued a clear statement rejecting “partial deals” that he claimed are being used by Netanyahu as political cover to continue the war. Instead, he reiterated Hamas’s demand for a comprehensive deal involving the release of all hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.

Al-Hayya also called for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the beginning of reconstruction, rejecting outright any disarmament demands. “Our weapons are tied to the occupation — they are the natural right of all peoples under occupation,” he said.

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi echoed those terms, stating that any agreement must include a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, end of the blockade, and start of rebuilding efforts.