CAIRO/GAZA, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, head of the Palestinian technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), on Sunday called for full adherence to the ongoing ceasefire in the enclave.
"We call on all sides to uphold the ceasefire. The NCAG is committed with partners to prevent further incidents and protect civilians," Shaath said on his official X account.
His remarks came as Hamas accuses Israel of continuous ceasefire violations, while Gaza's health authorities report more Palestinian casualties despite the ceasefire.
"The loss of life in Gaza over the past few days is excruciating," Shaath said, adding that "the path forward must be one of restraint, responsibility, and respect for civilian life."
Meanwhile, Nickolay Mladenov, "high representative for Gaza" of the U.S.-led "Board of Peace," voiced alarm in a statement posted on X.
"I am deeply concerned by what has taken place since Friday: Hamas armed operatives emerging from a tunnel in Rafah, and Israeli strikes that tragically also killed civilians," he said.
Palestinian medical sources said that at least 32 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday.
The Israeli army said in a statement that the airstrikes were carried out in response to an alleged "violation of the ceasefire agreement" on Friday.
The NCAG, a 15-member technocratic body, was formed in mid-January in accordance with a U.S. plan to end the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which includes the demilitarization of Hamas and the reconstruction of the enclave.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, after two years of conflict, following mediation by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States.
At least 71,769 people were killed by Israeli fire and 171,483 others injured since the Israeli campaign in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza's health authorities said Saturday. ■
