Gaza Herald – Senior Hamas political leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya said that the Movement is prepared to move forward with the second phase of ceasefire negotiations, while accusing Israel of obstructing the process through continued escalation and non-compliance with agreed terms.
In remarks made shortly after midnight on Wednesday, Al-Hayya said that Israeli military attacks against Gaza civilians “cannot be justified under any circumstances,” adding that the Israeli army is effectively disregarding signed agreements related to the ceasefire framework. He argued that ongoing violations have left negotiations stagnant and unable to progress beyond the first phase.
He further explained that the current deadlock stems from Israeli refusal to implement obligations agreed upon in earlier understandings, including those associated with the first stage of the agreement. According to him, this has prevented any meaningful transition toward the second phase of talks, despite Hamas’ readiness to engage constructively.
Al-Hayya stressed that Hamas has upheld its commitments and submitted multiple initiatives aimed at facilitating implementation, while accusing Israel of maintaining a fixed position that blocks progress. He called on international mediators and guarantor states to enforce compliance with the agreement, emphasizing that the framework includes clear obligations that must be fulfilled before moving forward.
He also referred to an Israeli strike in Gaza City’s Al-Daraj neighborhood, which reportedly killed and wounded several Palestinians, including his own son. He said the attack reflects a broader pattern of targeting civilians and reiterated that all those affected are part of the same Palestinian population facing ongoing attacks.
Separately, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated that Israel is targeting Al-Hayya personally in response to his political role, framing the strike as part of a wider pattern of continued attacks against civilians in Gaza.
The latest statements come amid persistent reports of ceasefire violations, including shelling, airstrikes, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, as the genocide continues to unfold alongside stalled diplomatic efforts and worsening humanitarian conditions in the territory.
