Gaza: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sidestepping obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, urging mediators to initiate talks for a second phase of the agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israel announced on Sunday that it agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, following a proposal by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. This development occurred as Tel Aviv stopped the entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, shortly after the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement expired.
Hamas criticized Netanyahu, claiming he is attempting to overturn the signed ceasefire agreement to further his political interests at the expense of Israeli captives in Gaza. The group described the halt in aid as ‘cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant coup against the ceasefire agreement,’ dismissing Netanyahu’s accusations against Hamas of violating the Gaza deal as ‘baseless and misleading.’
The group reported that more than 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire in Gaza since the ceasefire deal commenced on January 19. Furthermore, they highlighted the blockage of humanitarian aid and relief materials into the enclave. Hamas urged mediators to pressure Israel to meet its obligations under the agreement, particularly in implementing the humanitarian protocol by allowing entry of shelter materials and rescue equipment into Gaza.
The initial six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, officially concluded at midnight on Saturday. However, Israel has not agreed to advance to the second phase of the deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza. Netanyahu had attempted to extend the initial exchange phase to secure the release of more Israeli captives, without fulfilling the military and humanitarian obligations of the agreement.
Hamas has refused to continue under these conditions, demanding that Israel adhere to the terms of the ceasefire and immediately begin negotiations for the second phase. This phase includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war. The initial ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement halted Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over 48,380 individuals, predominantly women and children, and left the region devastated.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.