ALBAWABA - Hamas has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of backtracking on his commitments to the ceasefire agreement, citing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The group condemned Israel’s refusal to allow the entry of mobile homes and heavy equipment into Gaza, arguing that this violates the terms of the truce.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said that Netanyahu’s actions are directly influenced by Trump’s threats and plans for Palestinian displacement. He noted that Israel is preventing the entry of crucial materials needed for shelter and rebuilding, despite agreeing to these conditions during negotiations.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that Netanyahu made the decision to block mobile homes and construction equipment following security consultations. Hamas believes this move is part of a broader strategy to pressure Gaza’s residents and disrupt efforts to stabilize the situation.
Qassem criticized the U.S. administration’s approach, emphasizing that the ceasefire agreement was originally developed under former President Joe Biden. "Changing the terms now undermines the credibility of international mediation," he told Al Jazeera. He argued that if Trump is genuinely concerned about securing the release of Israeli captives, he should push Israel to uphold its end of the deal instead of issuing ultimatums.
On Friday, Trump threatened severe retaliation against Gaza if Hamas did not release all Israeli captives by Saturday night. However, Hamas proceeded with only a partial release, adhering to the existing ceasefire framework rather than Trump's demands.
On Sunday morning, an Israeli drone strike in Rafah killed three Palestinian police officers who were securing humanitarian aid deliveries. The Gaza Ministry of Interior denounced the attack, calling it a serious breach of the ceasefire.
Hamas responded by urging mediators to take action against what it called Israel’s systematic violations of the agreement. The group warned that ongoing breaches could jeopardize the fragile truce and escalate hostilities once again.
With tensions mounting, Al Jazeera continues to follow diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring the ceasefire holds, while both sides remain at odds over their commitments.
