Hamas: Netanyahu bears full responsibility for Gaza ceasefire collapse
The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds complete responsibility for the breakdown of the ceasefire, attributing it to his decision to resume military operations in Gaza.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately reigniting conflict, asserting that the move was designed to undermine the ceasefire agreement and appease the demands of far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
In a political maneuver following their earlier resignation, Ben-Gvir and two ministers from his far-right Jewish Power party have decided to reenter Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition government. Their initial departure was in protest of the ceasefire agreement established in January. This development comes swiftly after the recent airstrikes on Gaza, indicating a strategic realignment within the coalition’s ranks amid ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas called on the international community and mediators to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military actions and resume ceasefire negotiations.
The movement has issued a warning that Israel’s decision to resume military operations poses a threat to the safety of Israeli hostages. It criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for allegedly misleading the families of the captives by suggesting that a military solution could secure their safe return.
The statement highlighted concerns that Hamas is making every effort to ensure the safety of the captives. However, it warned that the indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes pose a significant threat to their lives.
“Efforts by the occupying forces to recover their captives through military means have historically resulted in their return in coffins.”
On October 7, 2023, Israel initiated military operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians, according to reports from the region.
In January, Israel reached a ceasefire agreement with Hamas after failing to achieve key military objectives, such as dismantling the Palestinian resistance movement and securing the release of hostages.
The initial 42-day phase of the truce, which experienced numerous infractions attributed to Israeli actions, concluded on March 1. However, Israel is currently hesitating to engage in negotiations for the subsequent stage of the accord.
Since March 18, the regime has initiated military strikes on Gaza, effectively breaching the ceasefire and the prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place for almost two months.
