GAZA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Hamas leader Hossam Badran said Tuesday that progress to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement depends on Israel ending its violations.
In a press statement, the Hamas political bureau member stressed that any discussion of the next phase must be preceded by clear international pressure on Israel to fully implement the commitments of the first phase.
Badran said that "various parties monitoring the Palestinian file" agree Israel has not fulfilled any of its obligations, noting that it continues to close the Rafah crossing in both directions, obstruct deliveries of tents and caravans for displaced families, sharply restrict humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, and carry out killings in the enclave.
He also rejected remarks by Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir describing the "yellow line" demarcation as a "new borderline" inside Gaza, saying the comments expose Israel's "non-compliance with the ceasefire terms."
Badran added that the Israeli army's ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes within the "yellow line" amounts to a continuation of military operations that were supposed to halt on the first day of the agreement, saying such violations "remain ongoing without any real commitment."
On Sunday, Zamir said the "yellow line" serves as a "new borderline," functioning as a forward defensive line and an area of operational activity. The line marks the zone where Israeli troops have remained stationed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10. ■
