Hamas issued a statement welcoming the UN Security Council's decision demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The statement, released by the Palestinian Information Center, emphasized the need to achieve a permanent ceasefire leading to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the return of internal refugees to the homes they fled after the outbreak of war.
Hamas also expressed readiness to "participate in an immediate prisoner exchange process leading to the release of prisoners on both sides."
Hamas urged the UN Security Council to pressure Israel to comply with the ceasefire and "halt the genocide of the Palestinian people."
