Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said that it remains in contact with mediators for a transition to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, accusing Israel of undermining efforts to advance the process.
Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Palestinian resistance group, said communication with mediators is ongoing to reach what he described as reasonable and acceptable approaches to various tracks of the second phase of the agreement.
The remarks come amid stalled discussions on moving to the second phase of the ceasefire deal, which took effect on 10 October 2025, and as Israel continues violations of the agreement.
Qassem said Israel is undermining the deal through its military attacks and recent political statements.
"Israel is turning against the agreement," he said, citing Israeli announcements that it would move to invade over 70 percent of Gaza, and plans that Hamas says amount to the displacement of the territory's population.
Expansion of occupation
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Israeli forces occupy about 60 percent of Gaza and said the area under Israeli control would be expanded to 70 percent.
Qassem said the developments put the credibility of all parties involved in the process at stake and called on mediators to take a clear and decisive position.
He said Hamas has demonstrated openness and positivity toward what he described as logical ideas concerning the second phase of the agreement, but argued that Israel is preventing progress.
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel has killed 929 Palestinians and wounded 2,811 others in violations of the ceasefire agreement since it entered into force following two years of genocide that killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured over 172,000 others.
Under the second phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, Israel was expected to carry out further withdrawals from the territory, while an international stabilisation force would assume security responsibilities, including facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
