Mobile Homes and Heavy Equipment on Their Way to Gaza
As threats mount and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, mediators secure a commitment to uphold the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
Watan-Al Jazeera broadcasted footage showing several mobile homes and heavy equipment on their way to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Meanwhile, sources reported that mediators had succeeded in salvaging the ceasefire agreement.
The entry of this aid comes as the ceasefire agreement was on the verge of collapse due to mutual threats between both sides and significant escalation by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) had announced a few days ago the suspension of Israeli prisoner transfers until further notice due to Israel’s failure to uphold the humanitarian aspects of the agreement.
Since the implementation of the agreement a month ago, Gaza residents have been suffering from a complete lack of basic necessities and are unable to find tents for shelter from harsh weather conditions. Meanwhile, the Civil Defense confirmed its inability to retrieve the bodies of martyrs or clear the rubble.
On Wednesday, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv had asked mediators to inform Hamas of its intention to facilitate the entry of aid on Thursday and Friday in exchange for continuing the prisoner handover process.
Mediators to Announce Agreement Salvaged
Sources told Al Jazeera that mediators would issue a statement announcing the success of efforts to move forward with the agreement’s implementation.
Trump had threatened to “open the gates of hell” on Gaza unless Hamas handed over all Israeli prisoners by noon on the upcoming Saturday. Hamas dismissed this as an “empty threat” and said it would complicate the agreement.
Earlier on Thursday, Hamas reiterated that it was not interested in the collapse of the Gaza agreement. Meanwhile, an Israeli official told Axios that Hamas had been informed via Qatari and Egyptian mediators that Tel Aviv would adhere to the agreement if the three prisoners were released by Saturday.
In a statement, Hamas affirmed its commitment to implementing the ceasefire agreement and ensuring Israel’s full compliance with it. The movement added that mediators were exerting pressure to complete the implementation, obligate Israel to the humanitarian protocol, and resume exchanges on Saturday.
It also noted that a Hamas delegation was in Cairo to address the obstacles imposed by Israel and discuss ways to fully implement the ceasefire agreement.
The movement stressed that the language of threats and intimidation used by the U.S. president and the Israeli prime minister does not serve the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
