Gaza — A senior Hamas official has accused Israeli occupation of deliberately stalling progress in ongoing ceasefire negotiations, despite the movement’s acceptance of the latest proposals brokered by international mediators.
In a statement issued Sunday, the official said Hamas had shown flexibility and a willingness to move forward with the deal. At the same time, Israel continued to “place obstacles” and delay any real progress. “Every time we move closer to an agreement, the Israeli side finds a way to stall,” he claimed.
Aid and Humanitarian Clauses
The official criticized Israel’s insistence on tying humanitarian access to political conditions, calling it “a catastrophe in itself” to treat food and aid as bargaining tools. Nevertheless, he said Hamas accepted the inclusion of an aid clause in the draft deal “in the interest of the Palestinian people,” despite not receiving any clear or written terms from the Israeli side.
Withdrawal and Security Guarantees
On the proposed Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the Hamas official said the movement was reviewing the latest drafts “with urgency” and in consultation with other Palestinian factions. However, he noted that Israel has yet to present an official position on the withdrawal component — a key factor that continues to obstruct the deal’s finalization.
He also stressed that clear international guarantees are needed to ensure Israel does not resume military operations after an agreement is reached. “We want to avoid a repeat of the post-January 19 situation, where violence resumed despite agreements,” he said.
Ongoing Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, over 200,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded, according to Palestinian sources, with the majority being women and children. More than 9,000 are still missing, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced, many now living in dire conditions under siege.
The official described the situation in Gaza as “not just a conflict, but a campaign of extermination,” citing widespread famine, infrastructure collapse, and a defiance of International Court of Justice orders to halt the offensive.
Urgent Call for Action
The Hamas official urged the international community to stop allowing Israel to operate with impunity, saying, “The time for half-measures and political games has long passed. Any further delay in reaching a ceasefire only prolongs the unimaginable human suffering in Gaza.”
He concluded by emphasizing the need for a just and lasting ceasefire, one built not only on the cessation of violence, but on the recognition of Palestinian rights, dignity, and freedom.
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