Hamas says will stick to original position on ceasefire hours after UNSC passes resolution

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Monday (Mar 25) said to the mediators that it will follow the original proposal on finalising a comprehensive ceasefire, which includes the Israeli troops' withdrawal from Gaza and the displaced Palestinians' return to the war-ravaged enclave.

The militant group also called for "a real exchange of prisoners" as it appealed for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons in exchange for the Israeli hostageswho have been kept in Gaza.

Israel has time and again rejected Hamas' appeal for a permanent ceasefire and full military withdrawal as the terror group has claimed that any more hostages will be released after Israel commits to end the war.

The demands of Hamas have been rejected by Israel as delusional and the country has emphasised that its military campaign to destroy the military and governance capabilities of Hamas will start after the implementation of any hostage-truce deal.

Nearly 130 hostages are likely to have been kept in Gaza since the October 7 attack by Hamas.

In a statement on Monday (Mar 25), Hamas claimed that Israel “did not respond to any of the basic demands of our people and our resistance (Hamas): a comprehensive ceasefire, withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced, and a real exchange of prisoners."

With the statement, it appeared that Hamas rejected the proposal offered in Doha where both sides had indirect talks via Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

The militant group claimed, “(Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and his extremist government bear full responsibility for thwarting all negotiation efforts and obstructing reaching an agreement so far.”

Netanyahu scraps visit by top aides to US

The statement of Hamas came hours after a resolution was adopted by the United Nations Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for thehostages to bereleased. The United States had abstained from voting on the resolution.

After the adoption of the resolution, the Israel Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, warned that the decision of the United States to abstain has harmed the war effort against Hamas.

Watch:Israel War: UN Security Council passes Gaza ceasefire resolution

The statement said that the decision was “a clear retreat from the consistent US position in the Security Council since the beginning of the war,” and one that “gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to get a ceasefire without releasing our hostages.”

Meanwhile, Netanyahu abruptly cancelled his top aides' trip to Washington which was aimed at discussing plans for an offensive in Rafah.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan also slammed the Security Council for adopting the resolution and said, “On the one hand, the resolution says that taking civilians hostage is in violation of international law, yet on the other hand — despite the fact that you know Hamas won’t listen to your calls and release the hostages — you demand a ceasefire."

Israeli minister quits Netanyahu's unity government

Israeli minister, who was part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency unity government, resigned after he was not included in the highest-level war cabinet.

Gideon Saar had joined the government, along with other ministers, to help manage the war on Hamas in Gaza.

(With inputs from agencies)

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