Published on 6/18/2026
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced on Wednesday that it had achieved “broad consensus” and “great rapprochement” in its discussions with mediators and representatives of the International Peace Council regarding completing the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and entering its second phase.
The movement’s spokesman, Hazem Qassem, said in a video statement published on the Facebook platform, that the discussions dealt with the files of the National Committee’s entry into the Gaza Strip and the international forces, in addition to the Palestinian weapons file, “within a logical and acceptable approach to all parties.”
He added that Hamas is continuing its meetings with mediators and representatives of the Peace Council, including Nikolay Mladenov, in order to complete discussions and develop a framework for implementing the ceasefire agreement.
Qassem explained that Tuesday’s discussions led to “broad consensuses,” expressing his hope that they would be reflected in Wednesday’s meetings, allowing the development of a strategy to complete the remainder of the first phase and actually enter the second phase.
He continued that the discussions witnessed “great convergence” regarding the implementation of the remainder of the first phase, and the discussion of the files of the second phase, most notably the National Committee, the international forces, and the Palestinian weapons file.
He stressed that Hamas is showing “flexibility and positivity” in dealing with the various issues raised, with the aim of reaching consensuses that put the interests of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip at the top of priorities.
Qassem stressed that the movement seeks to stop the “genocide” in the Gaza Strip, introduce real relief aid, and begin reconstruction.
On Sunday, Hamas announced that it had submitted the response of the Palestinian factions to the “road map” proposed by Mladenov, stressing the necessity of complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
roadmap
On May 21, Mladenov presented a “road map” of 15 items to implement the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump regarding the Gaza Strip.
Mladenov’s map specifies mechanisms for implementing files related to the future of Gaza, including reconstruction, disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, the work of the International Stabilization Force, and rebuilding the police force.
The map stressed the need to implement the measures promised at the beginning of the ceasefire, including humanitarian aid, fuel, crossings, and shelter, in addition to the measures contained in the Sharm El-Sheikh understandings, before moving to the next stage.
On September 29, 2025, Trump announced a plan to stop the Israeli war in Gaza consisting of 20 items, including the release of Israeli prisoners, the disarmament of Hamas, a phased Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the formation of a technocratic government, and the deployment of an international stabilization force.
The first phase of the plan entered into force on October 10, 2025, while Hamas says it has adhered to its requirements, while it accuses Israel of continuing its violations and obstructing the transition to the second phase.
Despite Trump’s announcement in mid-January of the start of the second phase, disagreements still exist regarding the arrangement for implementing its provisions, especially the Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, and the Palestinian arms issue.
The ceasefire agreement was reached two years after the genocide that Israel began on October 8, 2023, with American support, and left more than 73,000 martyrs and more than 173,000 wounded Palestinians, most of them children and women, and the destruction of 90% of the civilian infrastructure.
