The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has issued a strong rebuke against recent statements by senior Israeli officials, interpreting them as a direct challenge to the fragile truce in Gaza. In a statement released on Tuesday, the group’s spokesman, Hazem Qassem, focused on comments made by the Israeli Finance Minister, who spoke openly about the objective of dismantling the movement. Mr Qassem described such rhetoric as a deliberate provocation that exposes a disregard for ongoing diplomatic efforts and international agreements aimed at de-escalating the situation in the enclave.

According to the spokesman, these verbal attacks are part of a broader psychological campaign against the Palestinian people, one that has run parallel to a devastating military operation now in its second year. He noted that despite the immense scale of destruction and the staggering loss of life, with local health authorities reporting more than 71,000 fatalities, the majority of them women and children, the declared political and military objectives have not been met. Mr Qassem argued that the insistence on continuing such threats serves only to violate the terms of the current ceasefire and compounds the immense pressure on the civilian population in Gaza.

The Hamas official also turned his attention to the international community and the role of the Palestinian Authority. He welcomed a recent joint statement from 20 nations that criticised Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, calling for tangible sanctions rather than mere words. Regarding post-war governance in Gaza, Mr Qassem reiterated the movement's longstanding position: it had previously agreed to the formation of an administrative committee for the territory and remains prepared to hand over responsibilities to a consensus-based body. He blamed delays on Israeli obstruction and a lack of firm commitment from guarantor states. Furthermore, he criticised the Palestinian Authority for what he described as a reliance on media statements rather than concrete steps toward national unity, and condemned expansionist remarks made by the US ambassador to the region as emblematic of a deeply flawed foreign policy.