Senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nunu has confirmed that ongoing ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip have been deliberately stalled due to a decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.

Speaking in a press statement on Thursday, Al-Nunu revealed that the last round of talks between Hamas and the Israeli occupation, held late last month, had come close to producing a final agreement to halt the aggression. However, Netanyahu—backed by US Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff—sabotaged the process, abruptly ending negotiations after both the American and Israeli delegations withdrew.

Al-Nunu accused Netanyahu of deceiving the Israeli public by pretending that the release of captives is his top priority, while in reality he pursues contradictory goals—insisting on the continued occupation of Gaza, rejecting any return to negotiations, and deliberately placing obstacles to peace.

Highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian situation, Al-Nunu reiterated that Hamas is ready to immediately return to the negotiating table if the occupation allows sufficient humanitarian aid and food supplies into Gaza—steps that would end Israel’s ongoing starvation policy against more than two million besieged Palestinians.

He stressed that Hamas leadership is “in daily contact with our brothers and mediators in Qatar and Egypt” to coordinate the entry of aid and to meet Gaza’s urgent needs “in a sufficient and dignified manner.” Both countries, he said, are making “positive efforts to ensure that as much aid as possible reaches our people in the Strip” despite the occupation’s blockade.

According to Al-Nunu, Hamas is pursuing its efforts on multiple regional and international fronts to achieve two vital objectives: securing the delivery of humanitarian aid and bringing an end to what he described as “the war of starvation and genocide against the Palestinian people.” He noted that these efforts draw upon the movement’s strong and historic ties with Arab and Islamic nations—particularly the “brotherly” governments of Qatar and Egypt.

Addressing accusations that Hamas acts on behalf of regional powers, Al-Nunu firmly rejected such claims, stating: “The Movement’s decisions are completely independent and based solely on the interests of the Palestinian people.” He dismissed allegations of Iranian or other foreign interference as “entirely baseless and false,” while acknowledging that Hamas maintains good relations with Iran, Arab and Islamic countries, and “many components of the Muslim nation” without compromising its independent decision-making.

Al-Nunu’s remarks come as Gaza endures its 11th month under relentless Israeli bombardment, siege, and deliberate starvation tactics—conditions that human rights groups say amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. (ILKHA)