In remarks reported by Reuters, Abu Zuhri stated that Hamas would not accept any attempts to exchange its weapons for reconstruction efforts or humanitarian aid.
Israel said early yesterday that it has agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, following a proposal by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
In a statement, Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif Al-Qanoua emphasised that the group is prepared to follow through on its commitments under the deal. However, he accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations, particularly regarding humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Hamas has begun releasing some captives gradually, but said on Monday it would not free any more until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the terms with several deadly shootings as well as hold-ups of some aid deliveries in Gaza.
Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, said Israel had delayed the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. He also stated that Israel has been targeting civilians and blocking humanitarian aid.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to propose an end to Gaza ceasefire and “let the hell break loose” if all Israeli captives held in Gaza are not released by Saturday.
“As we talk about Gaza and the risk of the ceasefire not holding which is dragging not just Gaza into hell again but the whole region into anxiety, uncertainty and chaos that we have seen,” Ayman Safadi said during a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
In a statement, the ministry reported that the number of fatalities has risen to 47,035, with 111,091 individuals injured, based on the latest figures released on the second day of the truce, which came into effect on Sunday.
The cease-fire was originally scheduled to start at 8.30 a.m. local time (0630GMT), but it was delayed after Israel accused Hamas of delaying the release of a list of Israeli captives set to be released on Sunday.
In a news briefing in Jerusalem, Sa’ar claimed that Hamas’ rule in Gaza poses a significant threat to both Israel’s security and the Palestinian people.