In a statement released on Monday, a senior spokesman for Hamas maintained that the group has fulfilled all of its obligations under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, following the handover of the remains of the final Israeli detainee held in the besieged territory.

Husam Badran urged mediators to increase pressure on Israel to honour its own commitments, saying that the delivery of the last detainee’s remains removed the last justification for delays in implementing the accord. He warned that continued stalling by Israeli authorities jeopardises the prospects of sustaining the current cessation of hostilities.

Badran stated that Israel must be compelled to withdraw its forces from Gaza, allow unfettered humanitarian access and open the Rafah crossing in both directions. Hamas sources said that extensive efforts were made to locate the final detainee’s body and that the group provided firsthand information to mediators, contributing to its recovery. The movement described this action as fulfilling the first phase of the ceasefire obligations clearly and responsibly.

Despite these developments, reports indicate that violations by Israeli forces have continued, contributing to further civilian deaths and worsening conditions for the population within the territory. Local sources reported the deaths of civilians in northern and central Gaza, bringing the toll since the ceasefire came into effect to nearly 490. Humanitarian agencies describe the situation as critically severe, with essential needs in dangerously short supply and thousands, including children, women and the ill, enduring extreme hardship.

Independent estimates suggest that the wider genocidal war has resulted in more than 71,600 civilian fatalities since October 2023 and left over 171,400 injured. Aid organisations warn that the humanitarian situation remains at an unprecedented level of crisis.