Hamas calls Israeli advance in Gaza 'blatant violation' of truce

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, May 31 (AFP): Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday of a "blatant violation" of the October 2025 ceasefire after he ordered the army to seize more territory in the Gaza Strip.

"In a blatant violation of all agreements, as is their usual practice, Netanyahu announced expanding control over 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, while the killing and starvation continue," Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told AFP.

Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem, also condemned the "complete silence" of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace and its high representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, on the topic.

"Failing to condemn Israel's expansionist policies and forced displacement plans raises serious questions about the extent of the sponsoring parties' commitment to obliging Israel to adhere to its obligations" under the ceasefire deal, Qassem said in a separate statement.