GAZA CITY: Hamas said on Tuesday that the Gaza ceasefire plan cannot proceed to its second phase as long as Israeli "violations" persist and called on mediators to pressure Israel to respect the agreement. Hamas political bureau member Hossam Badran accused Israel of failing to respect the Gaza ceasefire deal, noting that under its terms, Israel should have reopened the Rafah crossing with Egypt and increased the volume of aid entering the territory. He urged the mediators, who include Egypt, Qatar and the United States, to pressure Israel "to complete the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement".
Under the initial steps of the ceasefire plan, Israeli troops withdrew to positions behind a so-called "Yellow Line" in Gaza, though they remain in control of more than half of the territory. Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed at least 70,366 people, according to figures from the territory's health ministry. The ministry says since the ceasefire came into effect, 377 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire. Israel's military has reported three soldiers killed during the same period. — AFP
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