Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said intensive consultations between Palestinian factions and regional mediators have produced important understandings regarding the implementation of the Gaza peace plan and the next phase of efforts aimed at ending the war and stabilizing the besieged enclave.

Qassem said Hamas and other Palestinian factions held a series of meetings over the past week with mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye to discuss mechanisms for advancing the peace process and implementing previously agreed provisions.

According to Qassem, the consultations resulted in a number of significant understandings concerning both the completion of the first phase of the agreement and preparations for the second phase.

Qassem said the talks addressed several sensitive issues, including plans to enable the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to assume governance and administrative responsibilities across various sectors.

The discussions also covered security-related matters and arrangements connected to Palestinian weapons, topics that have long been considered among the most complex elements of efforts to establish a sustainable framework for governance and stability in Gaza.

He noted that the understandings emerged following extensive consultations among Palestinian factions that participated in meetings held in Cairo. According to Qassem, mediators viewed the positions adopted by the Palestinian groups positively and expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation shown during the discussions.

The Hamas spokesperson said Palestinian factions informed the mediators that responsibility for advancing the process now rests with the mediating countries as well as the Peace Council and its envoy, Nikolay Mladenov.

Qassem urged the mediators to intensify efforts to ensure Israeli compliance with existing understandings and to prevent actions that could undermine progress toward a final agreement.

He argued that meaningful advancement in the negotiations would require greater international pressure on Israel to halt violations and adhere to commitments reached through previous rounds of mediation.

Qassem also commented on recent diplomatic initiatives presented by Mladenov during a visit to Cairo, where the envoy held meetings with Palestinian factions, including Hamas.

According to Qassem, some of the proposals differed from understandings previously reached with mediators and introduced new complications into the negotiation process. He said these differences hindered efforts to finalize an agreement during that stage of the talks.

The Hamas spokesperson further claimed that the approach reflected in the proposals appeared closely aligned with Israeli positions, a characterization that he said was evident throughout recent discussions.

Despite those concerns, Qassem said Palestinian factions have continued consultations among themselves and with other stakeholders in an effort to formulate a unified response to the proposals.

He emphasized that the objective remains reaching an arrangement that serves Palestinian interests, contributes to ending the war in Gaza, and creates conditions for humanitarian relief and large-scale reconstruction.

According to Qassem, Palestinian factions view the current diplomatic efforts as an opportunity to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's population and address the severe humanitarian and economic consequences of the conflict.

He concluded by stressing that ongoing consultations are focused on securing stability, rebuilding devastated infrastructure, and creating a pathway toward a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement for the Gaza Strip. (ILKHA)