"We have come to Sharm El-Sheikh with the direct goal of ending the war, the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation from Gaza, and the exchange of prisoners - a complete exchange of prisoners and the release of all Israeli prisoners, living and dead, in exchange for the Palestinian prisoners who were discussed according to Trump's plan," Al-Hayya told the Egyptian TV channel.
"We renew our great appreciation for all the efforts made by Arab and Islamic countries and brothers, the international community, and also the efforts of US President Trump in their tireless pursuit to stop this war and end it forever. "
Al-Hayya's interview with Al Qahera News outlet came on the sidelines of the second day of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, and hosted by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh, to discuss details and preparations for the release of Israeli captives according to US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.
It marked his first public appearance since the failed Israeli attempt on him and his Hamas ceasefire negotiating team in Doha on 9 September.
On Friday, Hamas stated its readiness to release all remaining Israeli captives, alive and dead, and hand over governance of Gaza to an independent, technocrat administration in response to President Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in the strip.
The Trump plan had stipulated an immediate halt to fighting and the release of at least 20 Israeli captives within 72 hours in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
In its statement, Hamas insisted that questions related to the future of Gaza and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people must be settled through a comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue.
Shortly after Hamas' announcement, President Donald Trump said Israel must stop the bombing of Gaza immediately.
However, despite Trump's directives to Tel Aviv and Netanyahu's acceptance of the Trump plan to end the war, Israel continued its bombing campaign and blockade of the strip.
On Sunday, the Egyptian foreign ministry had announced that Egypt would host meetings between Israeli and Palestinian delegations as part of its ongoing mediation efforts on Monday, in coordination with regional and international partners, to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
As the Hamas chief was speaking on Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 10 Palestinians across the strip, including one person waiting for humanitarian aid, according to WAFA.
"We came to Sharm El-Sheikh to conduct responsible and serious negotiations. We carry the concerns of our people, our nation, and their sorrows, as well as the victims they have offered in terms of martyrs, homes, and destruction, through a crazy war that has lasted for two years, waged by the Israeli occupation against our people … we also carry with us the goals and aspirations of our people for stability, freedom, the establishment of a state, and self-determination," Al-Hayya told Al Qahera News.
"We also came here to discuss the procedures and requirements for this, but unfortunately, the Israeli occupation has continued since the day we announced our readiness for this and our agreement to President Trump's vision for ending the war, the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation, and the exchange of prisoners."
Al-Hayya lamented that the Israeli killing, bombing, destruction and cutting off of aid, especially in the northern Gaza Strip, is still happening.
"Despite all of this, we affirm today our readiness, with all responsibility and positivity, to reach an end to the war, withdrawal, and the exchange of prisoners," he stressed.
"We look for procedures and mechanisms that will end the war and not bring it back. We want procedures and guarantees from the sponsoring countries and from President Trump to stop the war and not bring it back. We approach our work with a positive and responsible attitude."
"Do you expect the other party to be as positive, or perhaps, as some imagine, there will be attempts to circumvent or evade these agreements?" asked Al Qahera News.
In response, Al-Hayya said, "We have experienced the Israeli occupation's (respect for ceasefires) in this war. We do not trust it, not even for a moment, in this war. The Israeli occupation reneged on the first agreement in January, November, and December 2023. The Israeli occupation also did not respect what we agreed to in January 2025. We were negotiating, and they returned to war."
"The Israeli occupation throughout history has not kept its promises. We have experienced it twice in this war."
"Therefore, we require genuine assurances from the international community, including President Trump, America, and the sponsoring countries. We are ready, with all our readiness and positivity, to reach an end to the war, withdrawal, and prisoner exchange so that the war ends forever, and our Palestinian people live in stability and reassurance, in accordance with their legitimate goals, like the rest of the peoples of the region," Al-Hayya concluded.
Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed that the US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Egypt in the coming hours.
The first phase of indirect negotiations between Israel and Palestinian factions led by Hamas kicked off in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday.
The next phase of negotiations is expected to focus on finalizing technical details, a process that has proven lengthy in previous rounds.
Mediators are working to resolve a number of complex issues, including the timeline and logistics for Israel’s troop withdrawal from Gaza, the transfer of Gaza’s administration from Hamas, and the creation of the International Stabilization Force, as outlined in Trump’s plan.
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