A senior Hamas official asserts the Palestinian armed group’s commitment to the terms of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Hamas has dismissed claims from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office alleging that Hamas is intentionally delaying the finalization of the hostage release deal, creating a last-minute crisis.
On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced a negotiated agreement between Israel and Hamas for the release of remaining hostages. Multiple news sources report the agreement, brokered in Qatar, includes a 42-day truce and a prisoner exchange encompassing all Israelis captured during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 incursion.
“Hamas is committed to the ceasefire agreement, as announced by the mediators,” Izzat al-Risheq, a senior member of Hamas’ political bureau, stated in a Telegram post on Thursday.
This statement follows Netanyahu’s office accusing Hamas of violating the deal’s terms and deliberately causing a last-minute impasse.
“The Israeli cabinet will not meet [to approve the deal] until the mediators confirm Hamas’ acceptance of all aspects of the agreement,” the office emphasized.
Following the announcement of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, Reuters reported intensified Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, citing the civil emergency service and Gaza residents.
These attacks occurred as Gazans celebrated the anticipated Sunday truce.
At least 32 people were killed in “heavy Israeli bombardment,” particularly in Gaza City, late Wednesday, according to the news agency. The strikes continued into Thursday, damaging homes in Rafah (south), Nuseirat (central), and northern Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attributed a rocket launched into Israel on Thursday to Hamas; the incident caused no casualties.
Israel initiated its military operation in Gaza 15 months ago in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 abductions. At least 94 hostages remain in captivity. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 47,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 104,000 wounded in Israeli attacks.