Senior Hamas official: “We are under unprecedented pressure. We will positively respond to any initiative for a ceasefire.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a new evacuation warning on Wednesday morning, urging residents of the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City to move to the designated humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi, signaling a potential expansion of military operations in the area.
The notice was delivered in Arabic by IDF Arabic Spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee as part of ongoing efforts to minimize civilian casualties in anticipation of further military action.
Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official gave a rare interview on Tuesday to the Saudi-based Al-Hadath network, declaring that the group has no intention of maintaining political control in Gaza following the war. “We are not interested in participating in any administrative arrangement related to Gaza’s governance. We will not be part of a government or any political framework,” the official stated.
He added that Hamas supports any Arab-led efforts, particularly those led by Saudi Arabia, to aid the Palestinian people and oppose what he described as “forced displacement plans.”
The Hamas official also criticized the current mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza, calling it insufficient. He emphasized that “the solution lies in reopening the border crossings and allowing aid to flow in smoothly and regularly,” while clarifying that Hamas does not wish to be involved in managing or monitoring aid delivery. Instead, he called for reinstating the previous Palestinian-Egyptian coordination model that was in place before the war.
According to the IDF, under the direction of Israel’s political leadership and in coordination with Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, Germany, Belgium, and France, the military, through the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), continues efforts to improve humanitarian access to Gaza.
On Tuesday, six countries air-dropped 110 packages of food supplies into the strip. Since the start of the air-drop operation, 785 packages, each containing hundreds of kilograms of food, have been delivered.
The Hamas official placed significant hope in Saudi Arabia’s behind-the-scenes involvement. “Their presence gives them the ability to pressure the U.S. administration to push for a ceasefire and shape the post-war phase,” he said.
He also confirmed that negotiations for a potential ceasefire and hostage deal are still ongoing, stating: “We will respond positively to any initiative or pressure aimed at ending the aggression. The Palestinian people, together with Hamas, are under unprecedented pressure due to the Israeli assault.”
Despite ongoing talks, the official emphasized that there is “no current discussion about disarmament.”
He further warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated declarations that the IDF intends to fully reoccupy Gaza could endanger the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. “These statements pose an unprecedented threat to their lives,” he said.
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