Hamas reaffirms cease-fire commitment, accuses Israel of failing to meet obligations
Hamas members in the central Gaza Strip on February 7, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the cease-fire agreement and prisoner exchange deal with Israel on Tuesday, accusing Tel Aviv of failing to meet its obligations and holding it responsible for any delays or complications.
In a statement on Telegram, Hamas rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that Palestinians in Gaza should be relocated to regional Arab nations, such as Egypt and Jordan, under the pretext of reconstruction.
‘Invitation to ethnic cleansing’
Hamas called the remarks “racist” and described them as an “invitation to ethnic cleansing” intended to erase the Palestinian cause.
Since Jan. 25, Trump has repeatedly proposed that Palestinians in Gaza be resettled in neighboring Arab states, a suggestion rejected by both regional governments and Palestinian leaders.
Hamas emphasized: “The plan to expel our people from Gaza will not succeed and will face a unified Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic stance rejecting all displacement schemes. All plans for forced displacement will fail.”
The group reiterated its commitment to the cease-fire agreement as long as Israel adheres to it, noting that the deal was brokered and guaranteed by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., with international oversight.
“The (Israeli) occupation is the party that has failed to meet its commitments, and it bears full responsibility for any delays or complications,” Hamas stated.
On Monday, Trump warned that “all hell” would break out if all Israeli captives in Gaza were not released by 12:00 p.m. (10:00 GMT) on Saturday.
Netanyahu threatens Gaza cease-fire end
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Hamas following a four-hour security Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He announced that he had ordered the military to mobilize forces in and around Gaza.
“This deployment is happening as we speak and will be completed as soon as possible,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement. He vowed that if Hamas did not release the captives by Saturday noon, “the cease-fire will end, and the Israeli military will resume fighting at full force.”
While Netanyahu did not specify how many hostages he expected to be released, Israeli Army Radio, citing unnamed officials, reported that if Hamas freed three captives on Saturday, the first phase of the agreement would proceed.
On Monday, Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced that the release of Israeli hostages scheduled for Saturday had been postponed indefinitely, citing Israeli violations of the cease-fire.
The three-phase cease-fire agreement, in place since Jan. 19, has halted Israel’s offensive on Gaza, which has claimed more than 48,200 lives and left the enclave in ruins.
In phase one, 33 Israeli hostages were to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The sixth Israeli-Hamas swap was set for this week.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.
