'Israel' targeting police officers in Rafah violates ceasefire: Hamas

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Feb 2025 15:48

Hamas condemns an Israeli drone strike in Rafah, which killed three officers, calling it a serious ceasefire breach and accusing "Israel" of failing to uphold the truce commitments.

Listen

Hamas Resistance fighters deploy at the stage where the handover of American-Israeli captive Keith Siegel, 65, to the Red Cross took place in Gaza City, on Saturday, Feb.1, 2025. (AP)

Hamas has denounced an Israeli drone strike that targeted police officers in Rafah this Sunday morning, killing three officers. The attack occurred while the officers were securing the entry of humanitarian aid, and Hamas has labeled it a "serious violation" of the ceasefire agreement currently in place.

In an official statement, the movement reiterated its belief that "Israel’s" actions show a deliberate disregard for the terms of the ceasefire. Hamas pointed out that "Israel" had promised to allow the entry of caravans and heavy machinery to Gaza but failed to follow through, as evidenced by their announcement today that these supplies would be denied entry. This breach adds to "Israel's" ongoing failure to maintain the truce, according to the Palestinian movement.

#فيديو | وداع وتشييع عناصر الشرطة الفلسطينية الثلاثة الذين ارتقوا في استهداف الاحتلال لهم أثناء تأمين المساعدات شرق رفح جنوب القطاع صباح اليوم. pic.twitter.com/H5roieTURy
— عبدالله الأسطل (@Abomalekalastal) February 16, 2025

The statement also criticized "Israel's" delay in beginning the second phase of negotiations, casting doubt on its commitment to the agreement brokered by international mediators. Hamas further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the peace process, using the time to continue military aggression and pursue policies that could lead to further war crimes.

Hamas condemned the attack and all other violations of the ceasefire and humanitarian protocols, holding "Israel" fully responsible for the repercussions. The movement called on international mediators to step in and pressure "Israel" to fulfill its commitments, including stopping its violations of the ceasefire, implementing the full humanitarian protocol, and immediately starting the second phase of peace talks.

Israeli violations tantamount to agreement failure: Gaza Media Office

In a similar vein, Salama Maarouf, the Director of the Government Media Office in Gaza said earlier today that "Israel’s" refusal to allow the entry of mobile homes and heavy equipment to Gaza constitutes a clear violation of its commitments under the ceasefire agreement and its accompanying humanitarian protocol.

In statements to Al Mayadeen, Maarouf emphasized that "Israel’s" refusal is tantamount to declaring the failure of the ceasefire agreement, despite the Palestinian Resistance’s commitment to its obligations as long as the occupation upholds its own.

He added that the Israeli occupation's actions are clear proof to the world which party is obstructing the agreement, underscoring the need for mediators to intervene and pressure "Israel" to fulfill its commitments.

Maarouf also highlighted that "the catastrophic living conditions endured by the Palestinian people in Gaza due to the genocide and humanitarian crisis cannot withstand further delays, evasion, or obstruction of the entry of shelter materials and other essential supplies."

The Palestinian official urged mediators and the international community to assume their responsibilities, respond immediately to Gaza’s urgent needs, and put an end to the ongoing suffering by compelling "Israel" to cease its violations and its exploitation of the plight of 2.4 million people in Gaza.

The Government Media Office in Gaza has repeatedly pointed out that "Israel" continues to stall and delay the implementation of the humanitarian protocol, while the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates at an alarming rate.

Despite the entry of 801 aid trucks into the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday, humanitarian organizations warn that "Israel" continues to severely limit the flow of essential supplies, in violation of the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

According to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the aid deliveries were made "through interactions with the Israeli authorities and the guarantors for the ceasefire deal." However, the agency cautioned that restrictions remain stringent, particularly on critical supplies like fuel and medical equipment.

It is noteworthy that Hamas intended to postpone the prisoner exchange set for February 15 due to the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement before mediators intervened to overcome obstacles hindering the completion of the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. The violations include Palestinians being shot at, tanks trespassing the permitted distance, and preventing the entry of heavy equipment, medical supplies, and caravans.