A Hamas statement said that both officials, heading senior level delegations, reviewed the Iranian diplomatic efforts to halt the war of annihilation against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

It added that the delegates affirmed the importance of ending the Israeli aggression and crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and the West Bank and sending urgent aid to Gaza inhabitants.

The statement quoted Haneyya as saying that any ceasefire agreement should include withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from the beleaguered enclave and exchange of prisoners.

The Hamas leader emphasized that ending the occupation of Palestine and attaining the Palestinian people’s rights in their land and holy sites are the basis for stability in the region.

The Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, which began on October 7 last year, has so far killed 28,473 Palestinians and injured 68,146 others, mostly women and children, other than thousands who are still under the rubble of destroyed buildings. (ILKHA)