CAIRO, Aug. 4 — Mediator countries condemned on Monday recent Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, saying the attacks undermined efforts to implement the second phase of a ceasefire agreement and threatened ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye, the mediators in the Gaza ceasefire talks, issued a joint statement expressing “strong condemnation and denunciation of the ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip.”
The mediators said the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure, as well as the resulting civilian casualties, constituted a “flagrant violation” of international law and international humanitarian law.
They called on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law and fully uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, stressing that civilians, medical facilities and humanitarian personnel must be protected and humanitarian aid and medical supplies should be delivered without obstruction.
The three countries also urged the international community to “exert the necessary pressure on Israel” to implement the ceasefire agreement.
The statement came after Israeli strikes reportedly killed dozens of people, including children and other civilians, across the Gaza Strip over the weekend, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, said Israeli drones and helicopters carried out more than 10 airstrikes targeting residential apartments, displacement tents, civilian vehicles and gatherings in areas from northern to southern Gaza.
In a press statement, Hamas called on the mediators and guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to assume their responsibilities, condemn these “Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people,” and take immediate action to pressure Israel to cease its aggression in accordance with the agreement.
Palestinian officials also accused Israel of undermining ceasefire efforts. Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the agreement remained “an agreement on paper while death continues on the ground,” urging the international community to take immediate action to ensure implementation of the deal.
Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing political progress and delaying an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The latest developments came amid renewed diplomatic efforts over the future of Gaza. The so-called “Board of Peace” said on Monday that its “high representative for Gaza,” Nickolay Mladenov, had met with Netanyahu to discuss a proposed deal on the disarmament of Hamas and the transition toward civilian governance.
In a press statement, the board described the meeting as “constructive and detailed,” noting the two sides shared an understanding of the ultimate objective of completing the decommissioning of weapons in the enclave and transitioning from rule by the gun to civilian governance.
The board said implementation of the agreement would be overseen by an International Stabilization Force and an Implementation Verification Committee, both of which would include representatives from the United States and the “Board of Peace.”
It added that progress toward full implementation depended on all parties fulfilling their obligations under the agreed framework.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the “Board of Peace” had reached an agreement on the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza.
On Friday, Hamas said it had agreed to the “latest version of the roadmap” for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement after “fierce” negotiations.
Gaza health authorities reported that more than 150 fatalities, including dozens of civilians, were documented in July, the deadliest month so far this year.(Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
