Hamas frustrated by Israel’s flouting of cease-fire deal
Key terms in the cease-fire agreement with Israel have not been implemented, raising Palestinians' frustrations.
Two weeks after the end of the Gaza war, the demands made by Hamas have not been realized, in particular lifting the blockade on Gaza and opening the border crossings, which is causing delays in starting postwar reconstruction.
The current situation has led to speculation in some quarters of Gaza that war might resume because of Israel failing to honor the cease-fire agreement amid growing Palestinian frustration that the conflict did not achieve its objectives.
Ismail al-Ashqar, head of the Palestinian Legislative Council's Interior and Security Committee, said on Sept. 10 that if Israel does not abide by the truce agreement, the resistance would not lay down its arms, would be prepared to escalate and resume fighting for months (and in high spirits) and would inflict heavy losses on the Israelis.
But a senior Hamas official told Al-Monitor, “The movement does not intend to resume fighting if there is a delay in implementing the agreement.” He added, “Any leaks about renewed fighting are an attempt to confuse things. Hamas is in contact with the Egyptians to compel Israel to abide by what it promised. There are contacts at the regional and international levels to prevent the return of the situation to what it was before the signing of the cease-fire agreement.”
