Hamas says it is ready for talks on full deal, blames Netanyahu for collapse

The head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Khalil al-Hayya, has said in a statement on Thursday that the group is prepared to begin negotiations on a “comprehensive package” to end the war, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of torpedoing a previous agreement.

Here are some other comments al-Hayya made:

• “We worked for more than a year and a half of arduous negotiations and fulfilled all our obligations,” al-Hayya said in a statement.

• “Netanyahu and his government reversed the ceasefire agreement before the first phase was completed.”

• He confirmed that Hamas accepted a proposal from mediators at the end of Ramadan, despite knowing Netanyahu was “insisting on continuing the war to protect his political future”.

• Al-Hayya said the Israeli leader responded with “impossible conditions” that blocked any chance of a ceasefire or withdrawal.

• “We affirm our readiness to immediately begin negotiations on the comprehensive package,” he said, adding that such talks would involve the full release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages held by Hamas, along with a total end to the war and Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza.

• Al-Hayya also reiterated the group’s position on armed struggle: “Resistance and its weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and are a natural right of our people.”