How did Israel violate the ceasefire in Gaza?

The fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza is facing a crisis, with Hamas accusing Israel of violating the terms of the agreement. This comes after the Palestinian organization decided to postpone the release of Israeli hostages, citing alleged Israeli violations, which provoked an angry response from Israeli leaders. The situation remains tense as both sides trade accusations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would resume the war if more hostages were not released by Saturday. "If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday at noon, the ceasefire will end, and the Israel Defense Forces will resume fierce fighting until Hamas is ultimately defeated," he said in a video address on Tuesday. The threat underscores the precarious nature of the truce and the high stakes involved.

U.S. President Donald Trump, a staunch supporter of Netanyahu, added that Israel should "let hell break loose" if the hostages were not released by the Saturday deadline. Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated that the organization's leadership "monitored violations by the enemy and their failure to comply with the terms of the agreement... At the same time, the resistance fulfilled all its obligations." These conflicting statements highlight the deep distrust between the parties and the difficulty in maintaining the ceasefire.

Despite Israel's official declaration of a cessation of hostilities, Israeli forces have reportedly carried out multiple airstrikes and shot at Palestinians since the ceasefire came into effect. Palestinians have also reported frequently hearing Israeli drones hovering in the air. The Gaza Health Ministry stated on Tuesday that 92 people had been killed and 822 wounded by Israeli forces since the start of the truce. Hamas stated that in addition to these attacks, Israel has delayed the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, a key commitment of the ceasefire agreement.

One of the main focuses of Hamas's accusations against Israel is the alleged obstruction of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. According to the agreement, Israel should allow 600 aid trucks to enter the Palestinian enclave each day. Tom Fletcher, a senior UN aid official, stated on February 6 that 10,000 trucks had entered Gaza since the start of the ceasefire. However, a Gaza municipality spokesman told Anadolu Agency that the region has "at best seen 100 to 150" of the 600 trucks that should be entering each day.

The Gaza government media office stated that as of February 7, only 8,500 of the 12,000 aid trucks that should have reached the area had arrived. Reuters cited a source familiar with the matter as saying that "Israel has rejected requests from the UN, Qatar and others to allow temporary housing units into Gaza to house displaced people, which was a requirement of the ceasefire agreement." Hamas stated that Israel has prevented the entry of 60,000 mobile homes, 200,000 tents, and heavy machinery for clearing rubble. Israel has denied this allegation, claiming that over 100,000 tents have entered Gaza. Truck drivers at the Egyptian-Gaza border told Reuters that construction materials and tents have been blocked from entering since the start of the ceasefire.

Medical supplies, clothes, and soft drinks are also reportedly waiting to enter Gaza, after being subjected to inspection by Israeli officials. Furthermore, the Gaza Health Ministry stated that Israel has prohibited some sick and injured Palestinians from leaving the area to receive treatment abroad, in violation of instructions in the agreement. The ministry stated that those denied travel included a 16-year-old cancer patient. According to the ministry, at least 24 injured Palestinians have died from their wounds since the start of the ceasefire. The government media office added that at least 100 children have died due to Israel's "delay" in allowing them to travel abroad for treatment.

The Gaza government media office stated that as part of the obstruction of humanitarian aid, only 15 fuel trucks are entering daily to provide electricity to hospitals and other vital services, when it should be 50 according to the agreement. The office accused Israel of also preventing the delivery of generators and their spare parts, solar panels and their batteries, electrical wires, and water tanks, as well as materials needed to repair water and sewage networks in northern Gaza.

During the third exchange of captives, Israel reportedly delayed the release of Palestinian detainees by more than six hours. Additionally, a source who requested anonymity told Anadolu Agency that in several incidents, some detainees were transferred to Gaza without their consent or prior coordination. Israel also reportedly delayed the release of the list of detainees to be released.

Following Trump's announcement of a plan to have the U.S. take over the Gaza Strip and expel Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, Hamas issued several statements strongly opposing the proposal. Journalists and analysts suggest that the U.S. President's statements could further complicate the survival of the ceasefire agreement, as a potential new occupation of Gaza, and the expulsion of its population, could trigger further conflict. Israeli officials have generally reacted positively to Trump's proposal, with Defense Minister Israel Katz instructing his army to prepare for the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians. Netanyahu stated that the proposal was "revolutionary, creative," and would "open up many opportunities" for Israel.

The implementation of the plan would violate the future phases of the ceasefire, which focus on the return of displaced Palestinians and the reconstruction of Gaza. Israel's war on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians and has also destroyed much of the area's civilian infrastructure. Palestinians who have spoken with Middle East Eye have stated that they are determined to remain on their land and strongly oppose any plan that would force them to leave their homes and land again.