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Hamas leader slams Israeli withdrawal from Doha talks, denounces ‘theatrical' aid airdrops - War on Gaza
Khalil El-Hayya, deputy head of Hamas's political bureau in Gaza, strongly criticised Israel on Sunday for withdrawing from ceasefire negotiations in Doha, accusing it of attempting to 'evade' its responsibilities while intensifying its war on the besieged Palestinian territory.
El-Hayya described Israel's retreat from the Qatari capital as a 'clear indication' that it is 'not serious about reaching an agreement,' and is instead 'buying time to continue its war of extermination' against Palestinians in war-torn Strip.
'In the last round of negotiations, we made clear progress and reached near agreement on what the mediators presented to us, especially on the files of withdrawal, prisoners, and the entry of aid,' he said in a recorded statement addressed to the Palestinian people in Gaza.
'We received positive responses from the Zionist occupation via the mediators. But we were surprised when the occupation abruptly pulled out of the talks, along with US envoy Steve Wietkoff, in a blatant and transparent step aimed at wasting time and deepening the genocide of our people.'
The Hamas official said Israel later sent remarks objecting to the agreed-upon mechanism for distributing humanitarian aid, 'seeking to undermine the role of UN and local institutions' and insisting on maintaining a system that has 'turned aid into death traps, killing and wounding thousands of our people.'
The talks in Doha—mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States—were part of a broader push to reach a ceasefire deal and secure the release of Israelis detained in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian detainees.
Previous rounds have faltered over key sticking points, including Israel's refusal to commit to a permanent ceasefire and its rejection of a full withdrawal from Gaza.
El-Hayya confirmed that Hamas remains in contact with mediators but warned that meaningful talks cannot continue under the current conditions of siege, displacement, starvation and genocide.
'The only serious and genuine indication that negotiations are worthwhile is the lifting of the blockade and the prompt delivery of humanitarian aid to our people,' he said.
He reiterated that the resistance group position remains anchored in four conditions: a permanent end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of all displaced Palestinians to their homes, and a comprehensive plan for reconstruction.
He also rejected recent foreign airdrops of humanitarian aid as 'farcical theatrics,' saying: 'We reject the farcical theatrics that are called airdrop operations for aid," he said.
'We reject the farcical theatrics called airdrop aid missions,' 'What is required is the permanent and unobstructed opening of land crossings, and aid delivery in accordance with international standards.'
He also accused Israel of pushing to seize a large area of Rafah to create a buffer zone for displaced Palestinians, 'paving the way for the forced displacement of our people into Egypt or across the sea, in a clear plan aimed at liquidating our cause.'
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