Hamas urges pressure on Israel for ‘breach of agreement’

Hamas said that it is not possible to move forward with the next phase of talks unless Israel stops violating the ceasefire agreement. Gaza authorities claim that Israel has violated the ceasefire at least 738 times since October.
Hamas official Hussam Badran called on the mediators to increase pressure on Israel. “When Israel is breaking the agreement and not fulfilling its promises, the next phase cannot begin,” he said. “Hamas has urged the mediators to put pressure on Israel to fully implement all the conditions of the first phase,” he added.
The ceasefire came into effect on October 10, with the intervention of the United States. Palestinian prisoners held in Israel were released in exchange for prisoners in Gaza. At the same time, an agreement was reached for a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. However, the key issues of the second phase – the future governance structure of Gaza, the possible deployment of international security forces and the proposed “peace council” – have not yet been agreed upon.