Hamas Affirms There Is No Second Stage Of Ceasefire If Isral Continues To Commit Violations

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Tuesday the Gaza ceasefire plan could not proceed to a second phase as Israel's abuses continued, asking mediators to pressure Israel to honor the agreement.

The US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey-sponsored ceasefire, which has been in effect since October 10, halted the war that began after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

However, the ceasefire is still fragile as Israel and Hamas charge each other for offenses.

Hamas political bureau member Hossam Badran accused Israel of failing to respect the Gaza ceasefire agreement, noting that, under its provisions, Israel should reopen Rafah's crossing with Egypt and increase the volume of aid entering the region.

He urged the mediators, which include Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, to pressure Israel "to complete the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement," as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP (10/12).

On the other hand, based on the terms of the agreement, Palestinian militants are committed to releasing the remaining 48 prisoners alive and dead in the region. so, only one hostage remains that Hamas has not been able to return.

In return, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners who are in custody and returned the bodies of hundreds of dead Palestinians.

In addition, the first phase of the ceasefire also determined that more aid would enter Gaza.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped the second phase of the deal would begin soon, but Badran said it could not start "as long as the occupation (Israel) continued to commit violations."

The second phase of the ceasefire's plans concerns the dismantling of Hamas weapons, further withdrawal of Israeli troops as the established transitional authority, and deployment of international stabilization troops.

Israel says the next phase cannot be started until the body of Gaza's last prisoner, Ran Gvili, an Israeli, is handed over.

The final goal of this agreement is to gradually withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza if certain requirements are met.

Hamas said it is ready to hand over its weapons to the future government of the Palestinian State on condition that Israel's occupation ends.

The Gaza War was triggered by Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,221 people and 251 others being held hostage, according to Israeli calculations.

Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza have killed at least 70,366 people, according to data from the regional Health Ministry deemed reliable by the United Nations.

The ministry said since the ceasefire took effect, 377 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire. The Israeli military has reported three soldiers were killed during the same period.