Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan has spoken with Al Jazeera about the status of ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha.

He said that Hamas, which is not directly participating in the talks, does not yet have a clear picture of where the negotiations stand, but that its officials have no reason to believe Israel is sending any positive signals.

“Mediators are still talking about bridging the gaps, but it is clear that the Israeli side is adding more conditions, talking about new issues,” said Hamdan. “I believe they are trying to undermine the process.”

Specifically, Hamdan pushed back on the prospect of Israel maintaining security control over Gaza’s Philadelphi Corridor, saying Hamas continued to demand a “complete withdrawal” from the Strip, which it had previously received assurances from mediators of.

If Israel relays any “positive signals”, Hamas would be willing to participate in the talks, but that has not happened yet, said Hamdan.

Editorial

Updated 02 Aug, 2026

Urban flooding

THE warning from the disaster management and weather authorities that a new monsoon spell could trigger urban...
02 Aug, 2026

Fatal workplaces

THE methane explosion near Quetta that killed 34 coal miners is the latest entry in Pakistan’s long register of...
02 Aug, 2026

Dual standards

IT appears that the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party has fallen foul of the Election Commission of Pakistan. A...
Updated 01 Aug, 2026

Maritime alliance

AS the US-Iran war drags on, new battle lines are being drawn. The pro-US Gulf Arab monarchies and Iran have enjoyed...
01 Aug, 2026

Local governance

INTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s speech at a business summit on Thursday has stirred a hornet’s nest. His...
01 Aug, 2026

Murders in Balochistan

GOOD news is scarce in Balochistan. Seven labourers were abducted and gunned down in Turbat city recently. Four...