Hamas leader Ismail Radwan reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to the ceasefire while accusing Israel of continued violations and obstructing humanitarian aid, warning that Israel bears full responsibility for any renewed escalation.
Senior Hamas leader Ismail Radwan affirmed that the movement is fully committed to the terms of the current ceasefire agreement, while holding Israel responsible for any renewed escalation due to continuous and deliberate violations.
Speaking to Al-Jazeera, Radwan confirmed that the movement handed over the body of Israeli officer Hadar Goldin on Saturday.
He said that retrieving the remains of the four remaining Israeli prisoners would require intelligence information, specialized equipment, and trained teams, particularly due to the extensive destruction of tunnels and civilian infrastructure. Radwan stated that Hamas is prepared to conclude this file as soon as possible to move into the second phase of the agreement.
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Radwan accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire through continued bombardment and gunfire across several areas of the Gaza Strip, including zones specifically designated for cessation of hostilities.
He reported that since the start of the truce, 241 Palestinians have been killed and 619 wounded, while large-scale destruction has continued.
On the humanitarian front, Radwan criticized Israel for failing to comply with the humanitarian component of the agreement. He said that only 150 to 200 aid trucks are entering Gaza daily, far below the 600 trucks stipulated in the ceasefire framework. Essential materials for shelter, such as tents, caravans, and construction supplies, have also been allowed in only in very limited quantities.
Radwan highlighted the ongoing malnutrition crisis, severe shortages of medical supplies, and the urgent need to evacuate more than 15,000 patients requiring treatment outside Gaza, noting that the Rafah crossing remains closed.
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He described its continued closure as a humanitarian violation and called on mediators to pressure Israel to reopen it.
Regarding fighters stationed in the so-called “yellow line area,” including parts of Rafah, Radwan said Hamas had already proposed a withdrawal plan to prevent any escalation. However, he stressed that any withdrawal must take place safely and without pressure, stating that the movement refuses scenarios that could be used as political leverage within Israeli domestic politics.
Radwan reiterated Hamas’ commitment to the truce and emphasized that Israel alone would bear responsibility for any breakdown. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Palestinian factions have released 20 living Israeli captives and handed over the remains of 25 out of 28 deceased detainees. Israel has tied the launch of the second phase of negotiations to the recovery of the remaining bodies.
Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities report that approximately 9,500 bodies remain under the rubble in Gaza, and that more than 10,000 Palestinians, including women and children, remain in Israeli prisons amid documented reports of torture, starvation, and medical neglect.
(PC, AJA)
