The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, announced its immediate willingness to resume ceasefire negotiations as soon as humanitarian aid reaches Gaza’s starving population, ending the catastrophic famine gripping the region.

The movement condemned Israel’s relentless “starvation war,” which has pushed over two million Palestinians to the brink of survival, describing it as a deliberate act of collective punishment.

In a statement released Thursday evening, Hamas decried the unbearable conditions in Gaza, where Israel’s 21-month-long blockade has sealed off vital crossings since early March, choking the flow of food, fuel, and medicine. The blockade, part of an ongoing genocide, has left families scavenging for scraps, with stores depleted and black-market prices soaring beyond reach. Heart-wrenching images of emaciated children, women, and elderly collapsing in the streets have sparked global outrage, amplifying calls from activists and human rights groups for urgent intervention.

Hamas urged the international community to act decisively to halt Israel’s “collective massacre” and ensure unrestricted delivery of food aid to all areas of Gaza. The movement stressed that meaningful negotiations cannot proceed while Palestinians starve, especially after Israel abruptly withdrew from Doha talks last week, despite being close to an agreement. Hamas, in contrast, demonstrated its commitment to peace by submitting a constructive final response to mediators’ proposals last Friday, following consultations with Palestinian factions and allies.

Israel’s decision to recall its negotiating team for “consultations” in Tel Aviv has been widely criticized as a stalling tactic to prolong Gaza’s suffering. Hamas reiterated its resolve to overcome obstacles and secure a lasting ceasefire, emphasizing that resolving the humanitarian disaster is a prerequisite for progress.

As Gaza’s residents face unimaginable hunger amid relentless destruction, the world is called upon to pressure Israel to open crossings and allow life-saving aid to flow freely, paving the way for a just resolution to the crisis. (ILKHA)