DaysofPal – Hamas said on Saturday that it remains engaged with mediators in efforts to reach understandings on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, while accusing Israel of undermining the deal through expanding military control over the territory and continuing violations on the ground.
Hazem Qassem, the movement’s spokesperson, said in a press statement that communication with mediators is ongoing “to reach logical, reasonable, and acceptable approaches for the various tracks of the second phase” of the agreement. Negotiations on advancing to this stage have faced difficulties since the ceasefire entered into force on October 10, 2025.
Qassem stressed that Israel is actively turning against the accord, pointing to recent declarations of military control over 70% of the Gaza Strip, ongoing assassinations, and recent statements made by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding a plan to displace the strip’s population.
His remarks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on Thursday that Israeli occupation forces control 60 percent of Gaza’s territory and announced plans to expand that control to 70 percent of the enclave.
Calls for a Clear Position from Mediators
Qassem said these actions and violations place “the credibility of all parties at stake” and urged mediators to take a “clear and decisive” position that would allow discussions to move forward on completing the implementation of the agreed plan.
He added that Hamas has shown “openness and positivity” toward proposals aimed at reaching understandings on the second phase but argued that Israel continues to obstruct those efforts.
Qassem also accused Nikolay Mladenov, executive director of the Peace Council, of contributing to complications in the negotiations by linking multiple tracks of the process into a single issue. He further criticized Mladenov for remaining silent regarding ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Qassem stated that Mladenov is required to take a clear stand against these infractions rather than becoming “a partner to the occupation in executing the anticipated aggression against the Gaza Strip.”
Since the official start of the truce, Israeli bombardment and targeted attacks outside of designated military control zones have killed 929 Palestinians and injured 2,811 more, according to data provided by Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
The ceasefire agreement entered into force on October 10, 2025, following a two-year genocidal campaign that killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured over 172,000 others. The genocide also caused widespread destruction, affecting approximately 90 percent of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure. The United Nations has estimated the cost of reconstruction at around $70 billion.
On January 16, the White House announced the adoption of structures intended to oversee Gaza’s transitional phase. These include the Peace Council, the National Committee for Gaza Administration, and the International Stabilization Force.
Under the proposed framework, Israeli occupation forces were expected to carry out further withdrawals from Gaza during later stages of the agreement, while the International Stabilization Force would assume security responsibilities, including disarmament efforts and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
These arrangements form part of the second phase of a 20-point plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza. The plan is backed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted on November 17, 2025.
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