Al-Qassam: Israel Obstructs Ceasefire, Will Not Achieve Through Negotiations What It Failed to Achieve by Force

The group accuses Israel of delaying commitments under the Gaza ceasefire agreement as tensions rise over prisoners, Al-Aqsa, and ongoing violations

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said on Sunday that Israel is obstructing the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, stressing that Tel Aviv “will not achieve through negotiations what it failed to achieve through genocide.”

Following delays and what were described as Israeli attempts to evade its commitments, Washington announced in mid-January the launch of the second phase of the agreement, which has been in effect since October 10, 2025, and is based on a plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

This phase includes the formation of transitional administrative structures in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian factions, further Israeli military withdrawals, and the start of reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by Israeli attacks.

Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a recorded address: “What is required is pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations under the first phase before moving to the second phase, and to hold the biased U.S. administration accountable, as the enemy is the one obstructing the agreement.”

He added: “What the enemy failed to extract from us through tanks and genocide, it will not obtain through politics or negotiations.”

Abu Obeida also warned that “what the enemy is attempting to impose on the Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza is extremely dangerous,” without providing further details.

On Friday, Hamas said in a statement that its delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, head of the movement in Gaza, met with Egyptian officials and representatives of Palestinian factions. The delegation also held talks with Nikolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, in the presence of mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

The delegation stressed the need to fully complete the first phase of the agreement and noted that it had received an invitation to continue discussions in Cairo in the coming days.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli forces have continued to violate the ceasefire agreement daily since October 10, resulting in the deaths of 716 Palestinians and injuries to 1,968 others.

Prisoners and Al-Aqsa

In a related context, Abu Obeida said that “the occupation’s aggression against our people, its continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers in an unprecedented manner, and the approval of a law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners are a stain on the conscience of those who remain silent.”

He called on Palestinians to “mobilize toward Al-Aqsa Mosque” and urged “the masses of the Islamic world and free people everywhere to continue protest activities.”

He added: “The enemy must understand that any harm to prisoners or Al-Aqsa will not pass without consequences.”

Since February 28, Israel has completely closed Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing the prevention of gatherings amid escalating tensions following Israeli and U.S. actions against Iran and Tehran’s subsequent military response.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Knesset recently approved, by a vote of 62 in favor, 48 against, and one abstention, a law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners, a move that was met with celebration among right-wing Israeli parties.

Under the law, which applies to individuals accused of intentionally killing Israelis—estimated at 117 prisoners—executions would be carried out by hanging, conducted by prison personnel whose identities would remain confidential and legally protected.

More than 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including women and children, amid human rights reports documenting violations such as torture, medical neglect, starvation, and sexual abuse.