Hamas calls ceasefire deal result of Palestinians' ‘legendary resistance’

AP , Thursday 16 Jan 2025

The Palestinian group Hamas hailed its ceasefire with Israel as the result of “the legendary resilience of our great Palestinian people and our valiant resistance in the Gaza Strip.”

GAZA
Displaced Palestinians gather outside their tents in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on January 16, 2025, one day after the announcement of a ceasefire deal.AFP

 

“The agreement is a milestone in the conflict with the enemy, on the path to achieving our people’s goals of liberation and return,” the group said in a statement.

Khalil al-Hayyah, the acting head of Hamas’ political bureau and chief negotiator, said the ceasefire deal represents a “new phase” which will focus on Gaza's rebuilding and recovery.

“We are able - with God’s help first - and then with the help of our brothers, siblings, loved ones and supporters, to rebuild Gaza again, alleviate the pain, heal the wounds,” he said in a speech shared online by Hamas.

He also congratulated the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who will be released in the first phase of the deal: “Our heroic prisoners have an appointment with the dawn of freedom.”

Meanwhile, Palestinian Islamic Jihad hailed the cease-fire deal as “honourable.”

“Today, our people and their resistance imposed an honourable agreement to stop the aggression,” Palestinian Islamic Jihad said in a statement.

The group said the deal between Israel and Hamas includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as well as an “honourable” prisoner exchange.

It said that resistance groups in Gaza “will remain vigilant to ensure the full implementation of this agreement.”

Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters took part in the Oct. 7, 2023 operation against Israel and have since been battling Israeli forces in Gaza.

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