Hamas says Israel’s escalation in Gaza aims to undermine calm agreement

The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said that Israel’s continued bombardment of several areas in the Gaza Strip represents a serious and criminal escalation aimed at creating confusion, avoiding commitments under the calm agreement, and blocking the move to the second phase.

In a statement, Hamas called on the mediators and the states guaranteeing the ceasefire agreement to condemn what it described as “grave violations overseen by war criminal Netanyahu, based on false and fabricated pretexts”.

The movement also urged pressure on Israel to force it to comply with the terms of the agreement, including opening the Rafah crossing in both directions, allowing the entry of aid and shelter supplies, and proceeding to the second phase.

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Eight Palestinians were killed on Thursday in Israeli air strikes on different parts of the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which came into force on 10 October last year.

According to government reports, the Israeli army has committed hundreds of breaches of the agreement, resulting in the deaths of more than 386 Palestinians and injuries to 1,018 others.

The overall death toll from the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023 has risen to 71,395, with 171,287 people injured.

READ: Hamas accuses Israel of escalating ceasefire violations in Gaza