Hamas ready to be flexible for reaching agreement on Gaza

Hamas is ready to demonstrate all the required flexibility to reach an agreement on the comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the pullout of the Israeli military from there, representatives of the Palestinian movement said at the meeting in Ankara with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

"Members of the Hamas delegation stressed that they consider necessary that Israel adheres to the ceasefire agreement, and also said that the movement observes the deal and is ready to demonstrate all the required flexibility for the sake of reaching the agreement on the comprehensive ceasefire of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, the exchange of hostages [for Palestinian prisoners] and the pullout of the Israeli military from the enclave," Hamas said in its press release posted on the Telegram channel of the movement after talks in the capital of Turkey.

Hamas is in discussion with mediators on the plan to resolve the conflict in Gaza proposed by US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif Al-Qanou said earlier.

In mid-January, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to release the hostages held in Gaza and declare a ceasefire in the enclave, which was brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the US. The three-phase deal took effect on January 19. During the initial 42-day phase, which ended on March 1, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages. In response, Israel freed over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners. On March 2, Israel suspended humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and closed all checkpoints, citing Hamas's refusal to accept Witkoff's plan to continue Gaza ceasefire talks. On March 18, the Israeli military started to carry out strikes on Hamas facilities in Gaza.