Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha told the Qatari outlet al-Arabi al-Jadid today (Sunday) that Israel's refusal to allow Gazans to cross the Netzarim Corridor to northern Gaza is a violation of the ceasefire deal, according to N12 reporter Sapir Lipkin.
In his statement, Taha said that "the prevention of the uprooted to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip by the Israeli army is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement reached recently under the aegis of the mediators. This proves the Israeli foot dragging which is responsible for every delay in the implementation of the agreement. The mediators must pressure it to implement its obligations and allow our people to return to their homes in the northern Strip."
According to Israel, the Netzarim Corridor is being kept closed due to Hamas' failure to free Arbel Yehud, a hostage who was supposed to be freed this weekend. Though Hamas claims they provided the necessary proof of life for Yehud, Israel claims it never received such proof. Hamas has promised that she will be released this weekend.
In light of these violations, Israel closed the Netzarim Corridor, which was supposed to be opened to free Gazan foot traffic and inspected vehicle traffic following the second release of hostages. An American company overseen by Qatari and Egyptian representatives would then inspect vehicles and make sure that weapons were not being smuggled back into the area.
Hamas has previously been accused of delays in providing information on hostages to be released or in releasing hostages on time in accordance with the schedule agreed upon by the hostage deal.
Whether these violations will lead to a collapse in the ceasefire and the hostage deal remains to be seen, but so far both sides seem content to accuse each other of violations and calling for the deal to be fully realized and implmented.
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