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Middle East conflict

Hamas official denies reports of humanitarian ceasefire, insists on end to aggression

"Our position is clear: no deal until the aggression ends," the Hamas member stressed

CAIRO, December 21. /TASS/. The radical Palestinian movement Hamas has denied reports of a possible humanitarian ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Hamas political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzook emphasized in a statement that "there will be no agreement until the aggression ends."

"The movement has denied [reports] by Zionist media outlets of a humanitarian ceasefire for a period of two weeks to a month with plans to resume killings afterwards," Marzook wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"Our position is clear: no deal until the aggression ends," the Hamas member stressed.

Israel’s Arabic TV channel Makan-33 reported earlier that Israel was ready to suspend military activities in the Gaza Strip for two weeks in exchange for the release of hostages held in the enclave but the parties were still far from reaching an agreement.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking about 200 people, including women, children and the elderly, hostage. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out retaliatory strikes on targets in the Strip, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria.

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