GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Bassem Naim, a senior leader in the Hamas Movement, said the Movement is ready to engage in a positive and constructive manner with the second phase of the plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
In press statements on Friday, Naim said Hamas has clearly communicated its position on all elements of this phase to the mediators, foremost among them the establishment of a fully empowered Palestinian body to administer Gaza, the opening of border crossings in both directions, and Hamas’s complete withdrawal from the governmental scene.
He stressed that Hamas has adhered to all provisions of the ceasefire agreement, as acknowledged by the mediators and even by the American side itself. He emphasized that the Movement has not placed obstacles in the way of the political or humanitarian process but is instead working to stabilize the agreement and ensure its transition to the next phase in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people and eases their ongoing suffering.
Naim pointed out that the failure to implement the plan is due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on evading his commitments. He warned that the continued military escalation is aimed at sabotaging the agreement and returning to war in an attempt to salvage Netanyahu’s political future after failing to achieve any of his declared objectives.
He explained that Israeli forces have continued to target civilians in Gaza despite the ceasefire, resulting in dozens of Palestinians killed and wounded in recent weeks. Naim said such escalation cannot occur without American cover or a green light, raising serious questions about the role and responsibilities of the United States as a guarantor.
He added that the ongoing catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza, along with restrictions on aid entry and the opening of crossings, threaten to undermine the entire agreement. He warned that maintaining the status quo will not bring security or stability to the region.
Naim concluded by stressing that the current stage requires serious action from mediators and international guarantors to ensure full implementation of the agreement in all its phases, warning that the risk of wider escalation remains real under current Israeli policies.
