Hamas: Resistance Complied with All Terms of First Phase of Gaza Agreement; Criminal Netanyahu Is Stalling
Hamas Political Bureau member Hussam Badran said on Tuesday that the resistance has fully complied with all provisions of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, stressing that war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately stalling and using various pretexts to evade his obligations—particularly regarding the opening of the Rafah crossing and withdrawal from occupied areas.
In a press statement reviewed by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), Badran explained that the delay related to the body of the last Israeli captive, Ran Gvili, was due purely to technical and logistical reasons. He emphasized that the resistance did not hold the body for any gain, and that the Israeli enemy disrupted coordination for political reasons linked to Netanyahu, a war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court.
He noted that Netanyahu’s focus on the captive issue—whether alive or deceased—is driven by personal and electoral calculations, not humanitarian concerns, recalling that Netanyahu’s military decisions led to the deaths of dozens of captives during the war.
Badran stressed that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement must include a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, a serious start to reconstruction, the entry of aid, and guarantees for Gaza’s future, describing talk of “disarmament” as an attempt to obstruct the agreement.
He affirmed that the right to resistance is internationally guaranteed, and that its weapons are solely for self-defense against occupation, stressing that this issue is an internal Palestinian matter not subject to external dictates.
The Hamas official reiterated the movement’s readiness to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip smoothly to the nationally agreed committee, and its commitment to supporting the committee to ensure its success.
He added that there is still no final date for opening the crossing due to Israeli stalling and the imposition of new inspection conditions, despite regional and U.S. pressure.
Badran concluded by saying that Hamas deals with proposals conveyed through mediators and official political channels—not contradictory media statements—while firmly emphasizing the Palestinians’ right to defend themselves.