GAZA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Monday that Israeli threats to resume military operations in the Gaza Strip constitute a "violation" of the ceasefire agreement and a clear breach of a peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a statement, Hamas spokesperson Hazen Qassem said that "threats circulated by Hebrew-language media about resuming the war on the Gaza Strip represent a violation of the ceasefire agreement" and contradict what he described as "the plan of U.S. President Donald Trump."
Qassem added that such statements "run counter to the positive atmosphere" demonstrated by the movement during recent meetings in Cairo with mediators, referring to efforts led by regional and international parties to consolidate calm and prevent the collapse of the agreement.
He said that Hamas remains "continuously committed" to working with mediators to reach "acceptable approaches" for the Palestinian people, in a way that ensures the implementation of various tracks aimed at achieving peace in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israeli radio, citing Israeli officials, reported that the Israeli army has advanced what it called the "Yellow Line" westward in the Gaza Strip and now controls 59 percent of the enclave.
The demarcation marks Israeli-controlled areas under the first phase of the current ceasefire.
On Sunday evening, Israel's security cabinet held a meeting to discuss the possibility of returning to large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip, amid rising tensions on the ground and stalled negotiations.
According to Israeli media reports, the government justified the move by accusing Hamas of failing to comply with provisions related to disarmament, which it said had been part of previously discussed understandings, alongside the faltering talks hosted in Cairo between the concerned parties. ■
