Hamas official says Miami talks must end Israel’s Gaza truce ‘violations’

A top Hamas official says that talks in Miami to advance the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire must aim to end Israeli truce “violations” in the Palestinian territory.

“Our people expect these talks to result in an agreement to put an end to ongoing Israeli lawlessness, halt all violations and compel the occupation to abide by the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement,” Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim tells AFP. He also says the new talks should boost entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Naim says talks should also address “how to implement the remaining elements of the Trump plan in a way that achieves sustainable stability, launches a comprehensive reconstruction process and paves the way for a political track enabling Palestinians to govern themselves, culminating in a fully sovereign and independent state.”

The agreement reached in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in October mandated a ceasefire and partial Israeli withdrawal inside Gaza, along with the return of all hostages, living and dead, and the release of almost 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners and detainees.

It was envisioned by the US as the first part of a multi-stage peace plan, which would ultimately see Hamas’s disarmament and Gaza’s demilitarization, however the terror group has refused to give up its weapons.

The United States is hosting the talks today, with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff expected to meet senior officials from mediator countries Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in Florida to push for the second stage of the larger plan.

Despite the ceasefire, attacks on Israeli troops have continued, to which Israel has responded with waves of airstrikes. Additionally, the body of one deceased Israeli hostage — Sgt. Ran Gvili — is still held in the Strip. Hamas claims not to know its whereabouts, but Israel has challenged this claim.