Hamas source tells Saudi TV Israeli violating Gaza deal by refusing to discuss 2nd phase

Saudi Television station Asharq cites a source close to Hamas as saying talks in Cairo yesterday failed to reach an agreement on a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, while blaming “Israel’s procrastination.”

The source says Jerusalem is seeking to extend the current first phase, ending today, and that Hamas considers this “a violation of the agreement.”

He says the terror group “demanded that the mediators oblige Tel Aviv to implement all the terms of the agreement, because Israel is the one that continues to violate and breach the agreement, as it is delaying entering into the second phase negotiations.”

Second-phase negotiations had been set to begin on the 16th day of the deal, but Israel has so far not agreed to discuss that stage, which would see the war end permanently.