Hamas Urges 'Peace Council' to Act Against Gaza Violations
Hamas on Monday called on Arab and Islamic nations participating in the "Peace Council" to adopt a "clear and practical stance" against ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip. The group criticized the council's silence and inability to halt these actions, warning that justifying them would provide cover for their continuation and undermine the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated that the Israeli military's daily killing of women and children in Gaza represents an escalation of an "extermination war" that has not stopped, despite a ceasefire agreement signed in Sharm El Sheikh nearly a year ago. He deemed the "Peace Council's" silence and failure to clearly identify Israel as the party sabotaging the ceasefire unacceptable.
Qassem criticized what he described as attempts by the "Peace Council," its High Representative Nikolay Mladenov, and the American mediator to find justifications for Israeli violations. He argued that considering upcoming Israeli elections when dealing with these violations would legitimize them and weaken the ceasefire.
These statements come as Israel, for the second consecutive day, prevented Palestinian patients and wounded individuals from leaving Gaza for treatment abroad due to Jewish holidays, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The ministry reported that 20,719 patients and wounded individuals were awaiting travel for treatment.
Meanwhile, a Hamas leadership delegation led by Hussam Badran met with various Palestinian factions in Cairo to discuss developments in the Palestinian issue. Discussions focused on legislative and national council elections and strengthening national unity, with an agreement to continue consultations to end the division and rebuild the Palestine Liberation Organization.
In terms of field developments, three Palestinians, including a child and a woman, were killed and over 11 others injured in separate Israeli attacks on Gaza on Monday, which Hamas described as daily breaches of the ceasefire. Fatalities included individuals killed by Israeli shelling and gunfire, with one child reportedly shot while near displaced persons' tents.
