A senior Hamas official told Reuters on Saturday that the group will not agree to any ceasefire arrangement unless it includes a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The statement underscores a key sticking point in ongoing efforts to broker an end to the fighting.

The demand adds pressure to fragile negotiations as mediators continue trying to narrow the gap between the two sides. Any agreement would still need to address security guarantees, hostage issues and the future administration of Gaza, all of which remain unresolved.

The war has left civilians in Gaza facing widespread displacement, shortages and damage to critical infrastructure, while Israeli communities continue to live under the threat of rocket fire and the lingering impact of the October 7 attacks. Talks have repeatedly stalled as both sides hold firm on core conditions.

Reuters reported that the official framed the withdrawal demand as non-negotiable, signaling that a deal may remain out of reach unless mediators can produce a formula acceptable to both parties.