Hamas Denies Ceasefire Claims Amid Ongoing Tensions in Gaza

A senior member of the Hamas political bureau, Ezzat al-Risheq, announced on Saturday that reports claiming the group declared an end to the ceasefire in Gaza are unfounded. Al-Risheq’s statement comes in response to media outlets citing unnamed Israeli sources that suggested Hamas had communicated to Steve Witkoff, a U.S. official, that the truce was over.

“There is no truth to what the Israeli sources published regarding Hamas informing Witkoff that the agreement has ended,” Al-Risheq stated during an interview with Quds News Network. He emphasized the need for mediators and the U.S. administration to intervene and ensure that Israel adheres to the agreement established last month.

Allegations of Violating the Truce

Al-Risheq’s comments followed a report by Saudi state-owned Al Arabiya, which quoted unnamed sources suggesting that Hamas had declared, “the agreement is over” and asserted that “Gaza will not become another Lebanon.” In response, Al-Risheq accused Israel of fabricating excuses to avoid compliance with the ceasefire terms.

He expressed concern that Israel is systematically violating the agreement on a daily basis, which he described as an attempt to return to a “war of annihilation.” The Israeli government has yet to respond to these claims.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of 318 individuals since the ceasefire was initiated. This figure underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, raising urgent questions about the region’s stability.

As tensions remain high, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for renewed dialogue and peace efforts. The current state of affairs highlights the fragility of the ceasefire and the dire need for effective mediation to achieve lasting peace in the region.