Hamas says the ceasefire agreement cannot advance while Israel continues to violate its terms, with Palestinian authorities reporting at least 738 breaches since the truce took effect in October.
Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official, urged mediators to intensify pressure on Israel to fully comply with the agreement.
“The next phase cannot begin while the occupation continues to violate the deal and avoid its obligations,” Badran said.
He added that Hamas has asked mediators to push Israel to complete the commitments outlined in the first phase.
The ceasefire, which began on October 10, centred on exchanging captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, alongside a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
However, major elements of the next phase remain unresolved. These include Gaza’s future governance, the possible deployment of an international stabilisation force, and the creation of a proposed “board of peace” to oversee reconstruction and administration.
Anger continues to grow among Palestinians and international observers as Israeli attacks persist. Gaza’s Ministry of Health says at least 377 people have been killed and 987 wounded in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began.
Talks Continue but Key Issues Remain
A United States official told Al Jazeera Arabic that negotiations over the next phase of the ceasefire are progressing, though serious challenges remain.
Washington reportedly expects an initial deployment of an international stabilisation force in early 2026. Current discussions are focused on which countries would contribute troops, how the force would be led, and what its rules of engagement would be.
The official also said former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is no longer involved in the proposed “board of peace”, a US-backed panel intended to guide Gaza’s reconstruction.
According to the official, the ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council calls for Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. Talks are also under way to form a locally recruited police force to maintain security.
The US has acknowledged growing international demands for increased humanitarian access and says it is working to ease restrictions on aid delivery.
Disputes Over Israeli Military Presence
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric rejected claims by Israeli military officials that the so-called “yellow line” inside Gaza represents a new border.
Israeli forces remain in roughly 58 percent of Gaza following a partial withdrawal. While the ceasefire agreement requires a full Israeli withdrawal, no timeline has been specified.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have carried out air and artillery strikes in areas of Khan Younis under their control, with no casualties reported. In northern Gaza, building demolitions continue in Beit Lahiya.
Gaza authorities said these actions violate international humanitarian law and undermine both the ceasefire and its humanitarian provisions.
Since October 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 70,366 Palestinians and wounded 171,064, according to local health officials. Israeli authorities say at least 1,139 people were killed in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, with more than 200 taken captive.