Khalil al-Hayya, the chief negotiator for Hamas, has publicly stated that his group has received assurances from mediating parties that Israel’s military operation in Gaza has “ended permanently.”
The claim, which comes amid ongoing indirect talks aimed at solidifying a comprehensive ceasefire and prisoner exchange, was made as high-level officials from the United States, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt continued to push for a durable resolution to the conflict.
Permanent End to Hostilities
Al-Hayya’s statement focuses on what Hamas views as the essential guarantee required for any final agreement—a cessation of fighting without the threat of a renewed Israeli offensive. The statement suggests that this guarantee has now been secured from the mediators.
The Hamas chief negotiator also made a defiant vow regarding the militant group’s long-term political objective. He insisted that the group would continue to work toward the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.
He specifically emphasized the central, contentious issue of the capital:
“We vowed to keep working toward a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Al-Hayya said.
While Al-Hayya asserted that the war had “ended permanently,” his previous comments to Egyptian state-linked media highlighted a deep distrust of Israel, with a need for “real guarantees from President (Donald) Trump and the sponsor countries that the war will end once and for all.”
The latest negotiations have been taking place following a multi-phase proposal aimed at securing the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a massive reconstruction effort. Hamas has previously expressed a willingness to agree to the proposal in principle, but with the non-negotiable condition of a permanent end to the war.
The primary mediators in the talks have included officials from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
