Hamas says Israel ‘blocking humanitarian protocol’ as talks begin for phase two of Gaza ceasefire
The Cradle | February 4, 2025
Hamas announced in a statement on 4 February that talks for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip have begun, accusing Israel of “obstructing the humanitarian protocol” that comes as part of the deal.
“The contacts and negotiations [with mediators] for the second phase have begun, and we are concerned and interested in the current phase in sheltering, relief, and reconstruction for our people in the Gaza Strip. The occupation is obstructing the humanitarian protocol in the ceasefire agreement and is evading and procrastinating in implementing it,” said spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou on Tuesday.
“Shelter and relief for our people is an urgent humanitarian issue that cannot tolerate evasion or procrastination by the occupation. Rebuilding hospitals, repairing roads and water wells will restore life to Gaza after the massive destruction there,” he added.
Israel said it would send a team to the Qatari capital, Doha, in the coming days for discussions.
According to the terms of the ceasefire agreement, negotiations regarding the implementation of the second phase of the deal were supposed to begin on 3 February – the 16th day since the truce began.
The deal is made up of an initial 42-day stage in which 33 Israeli captives are supposed to be released in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Two more 42-day stages are expected, in which the remainder of the Israeli captives are supposed to be released in exchange for a much larger, undetermined number of Palestinian prisoners.
Over a dozen Israeli captives have been released so far in exchange for over 580 Palestinians who were detained in Israeli prisons.
However, Israel has continued to bar the entry of essentials such as reconstruction materials, equipment to help recover thousands of bodies still trapped under rubble, and tents urgently needed by displaced civilians returning to their destroyed cities – as required in the ceasefire deal.

Noted. As expected. God damn, GOD DAMN COLONIAL ZIONISM!
Viva Palestine!–ALL of Palestine!
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