Hamas Urges US to Pressure Israel to Abide by Gaza Truce Agreement Amidst Ceasefire Concerns

Hamas appealed to the United States on Saturday to “compel” Israel to uphold the Gaza truce agreement, emphasizing the urgency given the extended captivity of hostages held in Gaza for over 16 months.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated, “The United States must compel the occupation [Israel] to honor the agreement if they really care about the lives of the prisoners”. The call came as buses carrying over 300 released Palestinian prisoners as part of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas arrived in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday

The plea from Hamas comes amidst concerns over the stability of the ceasefire, with reports of stalled prisoner exchanges The situation is further complicated by conflicting statements and accusations of breaches of the agreement

Hamas has accused Israel of obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid, while Israel has accused Hamas of not adhering to the terms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of renewed military action if hostages are not released by Saturday.

Despite these challenges, Hamas has expressed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement, brokered and guaranteed by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. However, the group insists that Israel must also fulfill its obligations under the agreement. The agreement stipulates the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, as well as the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza

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