Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, announced Thursday evening that the ceasefire agreement reached with Israel includes a permanent end to the war, the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, and the release of captives. “The world was astonished by the resilience of the people of Gaza,” al-Hayya declared in his televised address to residents of the enclave.
The statement came shortly after Israel’s security cabinet in Yerushalayim approved in principle the deal for a hostage release and ceasefire, following hours of deliberation.
Al-Hayya, one of Hamas’s senior figures still alive after the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh, Saleh al-Arouri, and Mohammed Deif, said the deal was mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. He asserted that it guarantees “a complete cessation of hostilities,” a major influx of humanitarian aid, and the reopening of the Rafah crossing.
“We have reached an agreement to end the war and the aggression against the Palestinian people,” al-Hayya said. “We received guarantees from the mediators and from the U.S. administration, and all parties confirmed that the war has ended completely. We will continue to work with all national and Islamic forces to complete the remaining steps.”
In his speech, al-Hayya also commemorated Hamas leaders killed over the past year. “On the anniversary of the battle of October 7, we salute the martyred leaders — Haniyeh, al-Arouri, Sinwar, and Deif,” he said. “The enemy committed massacre after massacre, but the resistance overcame it. As you were men on the battlefield, you were men at the negotiating table.”
The statement was broadcast on Hamas-affiliated media outlets just hours after Israel confirmed cabinet approval of the hostage deal, under which dozens of Israeli captives are expected to be released in the coming days in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
In Jerusalem, the full cabinet meeting to ratify the deal was delayed several hours and was expected to begin at 10 p.m. Most ministers are anticipated to support the agreement, though Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have voiced opposition, citing the large number of terrorists slated for release. Despite their objections, neither is expected to withdraw from the coalition.
Israeli political and security officials are closely monitoring al-Hayya’s declaration, particularly his claim that “the war has ended completely,” fearing Hamas may seek to portray the agreement as a political and psychological victory before the Arab world.
Israeli military and government spokesmen stressed Thursday night that Jerusalem views the deal as a strictly humanitarian arrangement and not a commitment to a permanent ceasefire. “The sole purpose of this agreement,” officials said, “is the return of human lives.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
