JERUSALEM (AP) — A Hamas leader threatened Tuesday not to move to the next stage. Gaza a ceasefire agreement until more pressure is put on Israel to open a key border crossing, stop deadly strikes and allow more aid into Palestinian territory.
The accusation comes as the Israeli government says it is ready to move to the next, more difficult stage of the ceasefire agreement, while calling on the militant group to return the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip.
Hussam Badran, a member of Hamas's political wing, called for the “full implementation of all the conditions of the first stage” before moving forward, including an end to what he called the ongoing demolitions of Palestinian homes in much of the territory still controlled by Israel.
Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 376 Palestinians since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, according to Palestinian health officials.
Hamas has little leverage in ceasefire negotiations and could come under intense pressure from regional powers such as Qatar and Turkey not to stall the fragile truce.
Israel also accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire. It justified its strikes as a response to attacks on their soldiers or people moved too close to territory it controlled, although women and children were among those killed and some of the strikes took place in the “safe zone,” according to Palestinian health officials.
As the humanitarian crisis continues in Gaza, the United Nations and other aid organizations have said not enough aid is reaching the territory.
On Wednesday, Israel said it would begin allowing aid into the Gaza Strip through the Jordanian-Israeli border crossing.
A US-led plan outlining the devastated territory's future has gained momentum in recent weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel and Hamas “are expected to enter into a second phase of the ceasefire very soon” after Hamas returns the remains of the last hostage. Hamas said destruction from Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip had hampered the search for remains.
Meanwhile, officials said the international body tasked with governance of the Gaza Strip The next phase of the ceasefire is expected to be announced by the end of the year.
The Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostage. Almost all hostages or their remains were returned as a result of ceasefires or other agreements.
Gaza's health ministry says the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 70,365. The tally does not differentiate between militants and civilians, but the ministry says about half of those killed were women and children. The ministry operates under the direction of the Hamas government. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records that are generally considered reliable by the international community.
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For more information about AP's reporting on Israel and Hamas, visit the AP website. https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Megan Janetski and Julia Frankel, The Associated Press
