Hamas: Ceasefire agreement in danger of collapse

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: A senior Hamas official told AFP that Israel’s failure to adhere to all the provisions of the ceasefire agreement has put the agreement in the Gaza Strip at risk of collapse, while negotiations on its second phase have not yet begun.

 

Bassem Naeem, a member of the Hamas political bureau and former Gaza health minister, warned that the agreement was in danger, but said the movement did not want to return to war. On Saturday, the fifth group of prisoners was exchanged, while the first phase of the six-week ceasefire agreement is underway.

 

Bassem Naim noted: “What we are witnessing is the procrastination and non-compliance with the implementation of the first phase and the attempt to create a political, international, diplomatic and media environment to pressure the Palestinian negotiators to enter the second phase, which will definitely jeopardize this agreement and as a result, it may stall and collapse.”

 

He added: “Returning to war is certainly not our desire or decision. But if the other side decides to return to war, our Palestinian nation, which has resisted for 15 months and has the spirit of resistance in its hearts, will certainly be ready to respond appropriately.”

 

Second phase talks have not yet begun

The Hamas official noted that the second phase talks were expected to begin last Monday, adding: “We are still ready to start negotiations, but the occupiers are procrastinating... I do not have an exact date yet for the talks to begin... Maybe they will begin in the coming days.”

 

Regarding the issue of Arab countries' reconciliation with the Israeli regime, he called on "all Arab countries that have currently normalized their relations or are thinking about normalizing relations to desist from doing so, because this regime, which usurped the Palestinian land 76 years ago, is a threat to the entire region, not just the Palestinians, and is the main cause of most of the region's problems."