Hamas Reaffirms Commitment to Advancing to Second Phase of Gaza Ceasefire

Dragon Media News Desk

Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to the agreed roadmap and process for moving toward the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Xinhua on Tuesday that the group remains committed to the arrangements already agreed upon. He said the main obstacle to implementing the second phase is the absence of clear Israeli approval of the roadmap to the mediators.

The U.S.-backed 15-point roadmap envisages an end to military operations in Gaza, phased arrangements concerning the weapons of Hamas and other armed groups, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the advancement of reconstruction under a civilian administrative framework.

Although Hamas has accepted the roadmap, major differences remain with Israel over the sequence of implementation. Hamas has called for full compliance with the ceasefire and progress on the withdrawal of Israeli forces, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run media office in Gaza has urged the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to assume its responsibilities as soon as possible.

The office called on all relevant parties to facilitate the committee’s entry into Gaza so that it can begin operating amid the enclave’s deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

Hamas’ latest remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner held lengthy talks with Netanyahu on Monday.

Following the meeting, the two sides agreed to establish one working group focused on the demilitarisation of Gaza and another dealing with water, sanitation, infrastructure and public health needs.

The talks, however, did not resolve the central dispute over implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire.

Israel maintains that Hamas must be fully disarmed before reconstruction and further withdrawal proceed, while Hamas argues that Israeli troop withdrawal and an end to military operations should advance in parallel with arrangements concerning weapons.

Kushner had earlier also held talks in Egypt with senior Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya.

The United States, Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and other mediators have been working to implement the roadmap and move the ceasefire toward a more durable political arrangement.

The future administration of Gaza, the sequencing of demilitarisation and the withdrawal of Israeli forces remain the key unresolved issues shaping efforts to advance to the second phase of the ceasefire.