Gaza Herald – The Hamas Movement has accused Peace Council Executive Director Nikolay Mladenov of contributing to the escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip, calling on him to halt incitement against Gaza and the movement, and to adhere to the agreed framework for ending the genocide without introducing new obstacles.
In a televised statement on Sunday, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the movement is engaged in intensive contacts and in-depth discussions with regional and international parties in an effort to contain the rapidly deteriorating situation and halt the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza’s population.
Qassem said Hamas is working through multiple channels to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, particularly provisions requiring Israel to fulfill its commitments under the first phase of the deal.
He stressed that any failure to implement those obligations contributes directly to rising tensions and undermines efforts to preserve the ceasefire.
The Hamas spokesperson also accused Mladenov of playing a role in the current escalation, saying that the international official has presented “misleading briefings” during United Nations Security Council sessions and has engaged in rhetoric hostile to both Gaza and Hamas during diplomatic meetings.
Qassem urged Mladenov to commit to the existing plan for ending the war and warned that introducing additional conditions or complications could provide Israel with further justification for expanding attacks in the Gaza Strip.
The remarks come as Egypt continues mediation efforts aimed at salvaging the ceasefire agreement and advancing negotiations toward its second phase.
According to Palestinian sources, Egypt has invited a Hamas negotiating delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya to Cairo for discussions focused on the next stage of the agreement.
A source familiar with the mediation process told regional media outlets that intensive contacts are underway between Hamas, mediators, and representatives of the Peace Council in an effort to convene talks before the end of the week and prevent the collapse of the ceasefire following recent Israeli attacks in Gaza.
The dispute unfolds amid growing concerns over Israel’s expanding military presence in the territory. Days earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced directives for Israeli occupation forces to extend their control to 70% of the Gaza Strip, a move critics say contradicts the internationally backed framework for ending the war.
Israeli attacks and ceasefire violations have continued since the agreement took effect on October 10, 2025. According to the latest figures released by Gaza’s Ministry of Health, those violations have resulted in the killing of 930 Palestinians and the injury of 2,819 others.
The ministry reported that the overall toll since the start of Israel’s genocide on Gaza in October 2023 has reached 72,939 Palestinians killed and 172,927 wounded, underscoring the continuing humanitarian impact of the war despite the ceasefire agreement.
