Hamas Calls on Board of Peace to Address Gaza Ceasefire Violations

Hamas has called upon the Board of Peace to exert pressure on Israel to cease alleged violations of the Gaza ceasefire, coinciding with the board's inaugural summit scheduled in Washington.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated, "We call on the Board of Peace in its next meeting to take serious action to oblige the Israeli occupation to stop its violations in Gaza." He further highlighted ongoing issues, noting that "the war continues and the killings, displacement, siege and starvation in Gaza have not stopped."

According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli actions have resulted in at least 604 Palestinian deaths and over 1,600 injuries since the ceasefire commenced. Additionally, restrictions on aid entry and limited access at the Rafah crossing have persisted, despite prior commitments to ease these measures.

The Board of Peace, a 28-member body initiated by former President Donald Trump, is set to convene in Washington to discuss Gaza's reconstruction. Trump recently announced that $5 billion has been pledged by member states for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

The board includes several Arab and Muslim nations, such as Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE. Israel joined the board earlier this month and will be represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

Hamas has expressed concerns that the board could be used as a cover to continue hostilities in Gaza and impede reconstruction efforts. Qassem emphasized the need to lift the siege on Gaza and fully open crossings, cautioning against partial measures accompanied by violations against travelers.

In related developments, the Israeli military reported the death of Staff Sergeant Ofri Yaffe in southern Gaza, stating he "fell in battle" without providing further details. Yaffe is the fifth Israeli soldier to die in Gaza since the ceasefire began on October 10, during which Israel claims to have killed dozens of Palestinian fighters.

The Board of Peace's upcoming summit is expected to address the extensive reconstruction process and consider deploying a multinational force to replace Hamas security forces in Gaza. However, the board has faced criticism for centralizing power in the hands of the U.S. president and potentially undermining the UN-led international order.