GAZA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said on Thursday that it is committed to implementing the ceasefire agreement and beginning the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, while rejecting "any form of international guardianship over our people."
Zaher Jabarin, Hamas leader in the West Bank, said in a televised speech that the movement "is committed to implementing the agreement that ensures an end to the war, protects our people from aggression, and begins reconstruction."
In his address, Jabarin emphasized the need for the "right to self-determination" and "the establishment of an independent state."
"It is time to grant our people their right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state," Jabarin said, adding that "the Palestinian state should no longer remain hostage to the blind bias in favor of the Israeli occupation."
"Whoever truly wants peace in the region should begin by implementing the international consensus on establishing the Palestinian state and resolving the issue of prisoners through the release of those still held in Israeli prisons without further wars," Jabarin noted.
Under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Friday, the first phase of the ceasefire includes Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and the north, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and the opening of five crossings for aid.
Since Monday, Hamas has released 20 Israeli captives alive and handed over 10 hostage bodies, while Israel has freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. ■
