Hamas official says no progress in negotiations despite group’s flexibility

During a news briefing in Beirut, Hamas official Osama Hamadan has said that:

• Hamas delivered its response to the Egyptian and Qatari mediators late on Wednesday that upheld its position stated on March 14.
• The position includes that the Israeli aggression on Gaza has to stop and the Israeli forces have to fully withdraw; displaced people should be allowed to return to their homes, especially in northern Gaza; there should be extensive delivery of aid to all parts of Gaza and reconstruction should begin immediately; there should be a real and serious process to exchange people who are being held.
• Hamdan also said that until now there has been no progress despite the flexibility shown by Hamas.

“The occupation government is still evading, and negotiations are stuck in a vicious circle,” he added.