The Palestinian movement Hamas rejected on Saturday extending the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip in the form proposed by Israel, on the day it was scheduled to end.
Through its delegation during the Cairo talks, Israel is trying to reach an agreement to extend the first phase of the agreement in Gaza for an additional 42 days.
The movement said, in statements reported by Reuters news agency, that there are currently no negotiations with the movement regarding the second phase of the agreement, adding that “the occupation bears responsibility for not starting negotiations on the second phase of the agreement yet.”
Hamas stressed that “the occupation is evading its commitment to end the war and fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip and bears responsibility for not starting negotiations on the second phase yet.”
The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip entered its 42nd day, which began on January 19, amid fears of Israel resuming its war on the Strip, especially after its negotiating delegation returned from Cairo without reaching an agreement on extending the ceasefire.
Hamas called on the international community on Friday to pressure the Israeli occupation to fully fulfill its role in the agreement and immediately enter its second phase without any procrastination or evasion.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted a source familiar with the negotiations on the detainees as saying that the mediators warned Israel that if talks on the second phase did not begin, the ceasefire agreement would not be extended.
