JERUSALEM (AP) — The leader of Hamas threatened on Tuesday not to move forward with the next phase of a ceasefire in Gaza unless it increases pressure on Israel to open key crossings, halt deadly attacks and allow more aid into the Palestinian territories.
The accusation comes as the Israeli government says it is ready to move into the next, more complex phase of the ceasefire deal, even as it calls on armed groups to return the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza.
Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas’s political wing, called for the “full implementation of all terms of the first phase” before moving forward, including an end to what he said was the continued demolition of Palestinian homes in territory still controlled by Israel.
According to Palestinian health officials, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 376 Palestinians since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10.
Hamas has little leverage in the negotiations and is likely to face intense pressure from other regional leaders such as Qatar and Türkiye not to trample on the fragile truce.
Israel also accuses Hamas of violating the ceasefire. The group defended the attack as a response to attacks on its soldiers or civilians for getting too close to the ceasefire lines, but some of the victims were women and children and some of the attacks occurred in “safe areas,” according to Palestinian health officials.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues, the United Nations and other aid groups say aid entering the territory is not nearly enough.
Hamas’s comments come as U.S.-led plans outlining the future of the affected region have gained momentum in recent weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel and Hamas “expect to enter the second phase of the ceasefire soon” after Hamas returned the remains of the last hostage in Gaza. While militants appear to have been trying to find the remains, Hamas said the destruction caused by Israel’s assault on Gaza has been an obstacle to their search.
Meanwhile, officials said an announcement on the establishment of an international body to manage the Gaza Strip in the next phase of the ceasefire is expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said on Saturday that the ceasefire in Gaza had reached a “critical moment.”
The first Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in 2023 killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostage. Nearly all the hostages or remains have been returned through ceasefires or other agreements.
Gaza’s health ministry said the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 70,365. The statistics do not distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry said about half of those killed were women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. It is staffed by medical professionals and keeps detailed records that are generally considered reliable by the international community.
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