(MENAFN) Hamas has confirmed it will not take part in the formal signing of the U.S.-brokered peace accord scheduled to take place in Egypt on Monday.

The announcement came from the group’s spokesperson, Husam Badran, who expressed reservations regarding several elements of the plan spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Badran made these remarks during conversations with the press, emphasizing the group's opposition to certain terms of the proposed agreement.

Earlier this week, both Israel and Hamas had declared a cessation of hostilities in a war that began on October 7, 2023.

That date marked a deadly assault by Palestinian fighters on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of around 250 individuals.

In retaliation, Israel launched a sweeping military offensive that, according to local authorities, has led to over 67,000 deaths among Palestinians in Gaza.

The territory has been devastated, facing a catastrophic humanitarian emergency. The United Nations has accused Israel of committing acts amounting to genocide.

According to a news agency, Badran stated on Sunday that “Hamas will not be involved in the signing process. Only mediators and American and Israeli officials will be present.”

Simultaneously, a media outlet quoted Shosh Bedrosian, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that “no Israeli official will attend” the summit either.

The French news outlet also cited Badran as saying, “talk about expelling Palestinians, whether they are Hamas members or not, from their land is absurd and nonsense.”

He went on to highlight that the second stage of the peace initiative faces “many complexities and difficulties,” suggesting a challenging road ahead for any further implementation.

Previously, a ceasefire agreement collapsed in March when Israel decided to withdraw from it unilaterally.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has since hinted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) could recommence military actions in Gaza if Hamas does not agree to surrender its weapons.

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