Hamas Grants Israel Two Months to Implement Understanding

Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas' political bureau in Cairo, Egypt on Nov. 22, 2017. AFP Photo/Mohamed El-Shahed
Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas' political bureau in Cairo, Egypt on Nov. 22, 2017. AFP Photo/Mohamed El-Shahed
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Hamas Grants Israel Two Months to Implement Understanding

Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas' political bureau in Cairo, Egypt on Nov. 22, 2017. AFP Photo/Mohamed El-Shahed
Khalil al-Haya, a member of Hamas' political bureau in Cairo, Egypt on Nov. 22, 2017. AFP Photo/Mohamed El-Shahed

Hamas said Israel has two months to implement the recent Qatar-brokered agreements in Gaza before it launches a new round of escalation.

Member of Hamas' political bureau Khalil al-Haya warned that Israel had "two months to implement the agreements between the parties, otherwise the escalation of violence will resume."

He said the negotiations took so much time due to uncertainty regarding the duration to be granted to the occupation to implement the deal.

Israel lifted the latest sanctions that were imposed on Gaza Strip, reopened the crossing borders, provided the Strip with fuel and allowed fishermen to return to the sea within a truce deal- brokered by Qatar.

In return, the truce deal stipulates that Hamas halts all forms of escalation.

Qatar's ambassador to Gaza Mohammed al-Emadi, who mediated the ceasefire between the Palestinians and Israel, said that talks are ongoing regarding a hospital in Rafah.

“I met with the head of the Israeli energy company, Delek, and discussed with him supplying gas to the Gaza power plant. It is better than operating electricity line 161,” he said.

Emadi also revealed that Israel agreed to issue 7,000 work permits for Palestinian workers.

Haya said that over $30 million in Qatari aid will enter Gaza this month, and the amount that was added to the aid will be allotted to 100,000 households by distributing $100 for each family and those who were impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

According to Haya, the agreement is not new but it's a confirmation of previous understandings.



Netanyahu and Trump Prioritize Gaza Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
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Netanyahu and Trump Prioritize Gaza Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. US July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his meeting with US President Donald Trump focused on freeing hostages held in Gaza, and stressed his determination to "eliminate" the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas.

Netanyahu said on X that the leaders also discussed the consequences and possibilities of "the great victory we achieved over Iran," following an aerial war last month in which the United States joined Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear sites.

Netanyahu is making his third US visit since Trump took office on January 20 and had earlier told reporters that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.

Trump met Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second time in two days to discuss the situation in Gaza, with the president's Middle East envoy indicating that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement on a ceasefire deal after nearly two years of war. Netanyahu also said that ceasefire efforts were underway.

A delegation from Qatar, the host of indirect talks between Israeli negotiators and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, met senior White House officials before Netanyahu's arrival on Tuesday, Axios said, citing a source familiar with the details.

According to Reuters, the White House had no immediate comment on the report. Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, said the number of issues preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching an agreement had decreased from four to one, expressing optimism for a temporary ceasefire deal by the end of the week.

Witkoff told reporters at a Cabinet meeting that the anticipated agreement would involve a 60-day ceasefire, with the release of ten live hostages and nine deceased individuals.

Netanyahu met with Vice President JD Vance and then visited the US Capitol on Tuesday, and is due back in Congress on Wednesday to meet with US Senate leaders.

He told reporters after a meeting with the Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson that while he did not think Israel's campaign in the Palestinian enclave was done, negotiators are "certainly working" on a ceasefire.

"We have still to finish the job in Gaza, release all our hostages, eliminate and destroy Hamas' military and government capabilities," Netanyahu said.