Media: Hamas urges international action to prevent full Israeli occupation of Gaza

The Palestinian movement Hamas has called on the international community to take urgent and effective measures to stop Israel from expanding its military operation in the Gaza Strip and potentially occupying the entire enclave.

Speaking to a TASS correspondent by phone from Tehran, Hamas representative Khaled al-Qaddoumi warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of escalating war crimes, Caliber.Az reports. 

“Today, the world must support our oppressed people and use effective tools to prevent Netanyahu and his gang from continuing their war crimes against our people, which have exacerbated hunger and led to the starvation of our children and families,” al-Qaddoumi said, commenting on recent reports suggesting Israel is considering a full-scale invasion of Gaza.

He added that "even the Israeli military leadership brought in by Netanyahu is opposed to such insane ideas as invading the Gaza Strip.”

Addressing the prospect of renewed ceasefire talks, al-Qaddoumi claimed that the Israeli prime minister is actively undermining efforts toward a peaceful resolution.

“Netanyahu does not want to reach an agreement. On the contrary, he has destroyed all hopes for an agreement and continues to kill our people in front of the whole world,” he said.

Al-Qaddoumi also emphasised Hamas’s participation in humanitarian dialogue and claimed the group had offered “practical and realistic solutions and measures aimed at ending the aggression and bloodshed, which was confirmed by the mediators.”

He further underlined the urgent need for increased humanitarian access to Gaza.

According to a report by Israeli news outlet Ynet, citing senior officials close to Netanyahu, the political leadership is nearing a decision to proceed with the “complete occupation” of the Palestinian enclave.

One unnamed source told Ynet that “the die has been cast,” and that negotiations over the release of hostages have stalled, leaving Israel to pursue a military solution.

The Jerusalem Post also reported that Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet on August 7 to discuss the possibility of a full-scale ground operation across the Gaza Strip, including areas believed to be housing hostages held by Hamas.

By Sabina Mammadli