Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Egypt for Gaza talks

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said that the group’s “priority” amid the ongoing negotiations is a stop to the war.

“Our vision is very clear: We want to stop the aggression,” he said. “What is going on in the ground is a big catastrophe,” added Hamad, referencing the “mass destruction and mass killing” caused by the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

The member of Hamas’s political bureau said “some people” are looking for brief pauses in fighting for a few days or weeks but added that that was not in Hamas’ and Palestinians’ interest.

Hamad added that once the war stopped, Hamas was “ready to negotiate with all” and reach a “big compromise” for the Palestinian prisoners and the captives in Gaza.

MP/PR