Hamas ready to withdraw forces from Gaza if Israel does the same

(Patria) - Hamas announced that it is ready to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip if Israel withdraws its forces to agreed-upon locations, reported television channel Al Arabiya, citing its sources.

According to the sources, the Hamas delegation in Cairo handed over its proposals on a potential ceasefire agreement in Gaza to Egyptian mediators, TASS reported.

"Hamas has expressed readiness to withdraw its forces in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli troops to agreed-upon locations and reiterated its commitment to preserving the lives of hostages," the sources said, adding that Hamas "demanded a written agreement with Israel" that would provide international guarantees that Israel would abandon its plans to occupy Gaza and would not continue hostilities.

The sources also said that Egypt is working on a roadmap for a comprehensive agreement on Gaza, which is expected to be implemented by the end of August.

Egyptian television channel Al-Qahera al-Ekhbariya reported on Wednesday, citing a source, that the Hamas delegation met in Cairo with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Hassan Rashind, to signal its intention to resume ceasefire negotiations as soon as possible.

According to the source, the meetings in Cairo are focused on reaching an agreement on a two-month ceasefire.