A well-informed source within one of the Palestinian resistance factions stated that none of the promises made by US official Jared Kushner during his recent mission to discuss the development of a ceasefire in Gaza were “empty and unfulfilled.” The source added that since the day messages regarding de-escalation were conveyed, the Israeli government has intensified its deadly attacks, amid fears of a more dangerous escalation as the Knesset elections approach.
This comes as the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, announced that its leader, Khalil al-Hayya, had made several contacts with mediators to discuss the recent escalation.
Warning of a more dangerous escalation
The leaders of the factions participating in the ceasefire talks had made several contacts with mediators in recent days, during which they "requested that the mediators urge the US administration to take immediate action, restrain the Tel Aviv government, and force it to halt the bloody escalation in the Gaza Strip."
The based on the situation on the ground and information from various sources, the resistance factions fear Israeli intentions for a "more dangerous escalation" as the Israeli Knesset elections approach, as part of the right-wing government and its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, attempt to gain votes "at the expense of Palestinian blood."
the numerous security precautions have been taken recently, both in the Gaza Strip and abroad, in anticipation of this escalation, which includes the possibility of new assassinations. The source explained that the situation on the ground in Gaza, the reduction of the residential area to 30%, the occupation state's possession of advanced military technology, and its deployment of drones that constantly patrol Gaza's skies have all contributed to the recent assassinations of several resistance leaders.
The source warned of the gravity of the situation if swift action is not taken, explaining that several contacts have recently taken place between leaders of the resistance factions. These contacts involved consultations and agreement on the necessity of action, as well as conveying concerns about a more dangerous escalation in the coming period. The source stated, "The closer the Israeli elections get, the more we observe an increase in racist rhetoric, accompanied by massacres and actions on the ground."
The US envoy Kushner had promised, during his recent mission to develop the ceasefire agreement and move to the second phase, that his administration would exert pressure and fully implement the first phase of the agreement. This promise
came after he was informed of the difficulty of implementing the second phase at this time, given the approaching Israeli elections. The source indicated that this followed a meeting Kushner held with Hamas political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya, in the presence of mediators in the Egyptian city of El Alamein on August 16th, during which he was informed of the resistance factions' approval of the "Peace Council" plan for moving to the second phase.
Empty promises
The source explained that after that meeting, Kushner, before departing to meet with Netanyahu, informed representatives of the Peace Council that his administration would proceed with implementing and developing the agreement. However, he stated that moving to the second phase of the agreement, which the Peace Council had drafted and which the Tel Aviv government opposed, would be difficult at this time due to the approaching Knesset elections and concerns about the potential repercussions for the Likud party.
According to the source, Kushner promised to take swift steps from that point onward to fully implement the first phase agreement. This phase includes expanding the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip to 600 trucks daily, halting military attacks and restoring complete calm, and the gradual withdrawal of the occupation army from the areas where it had expanded its control, returning to the pre-1967 borders. At the beginning of the ceasefire, these borders encompassed approximately 53% of the Gaza Strip, but the area under Israeli control now comprises about 70% of the Strip.
The “Aid has not been increased, nor have any new crossings been opened to allow its entry.” He noted that promises had been made to the factions to open the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing alongside the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, but instead, the siege has been tightened further. This has included reducing the number of aid trucks carrying medical and food supplies, halting fuel deliveries to many hospitals instead of increasing them, expanding ground attacks, and extending Israeli control into areas south of the Gaza Strip.
He also pointed to the recent escalation, marked by intensified assassinations and daily bombardments of displacement camps, instead of the occupation moving towards de-escalation as promised by the US envoy.
He affirmed that the resistance factions expect these attacks to escalate, “given the aggressive rhetoric of the occupation leaders and the realities on the ground, especially as the Knesset elections draw nearer.”
He explained that during contacts with representatives of the "Peace Council," headed by Nikolay Mladenov, a request was made to implement these promises by exerting pressure and adopting a position that would hold the Tel Aviv government responsible for what is happening on the ground. However, no results have been achieved so far.
It is worth noting that David Zinni, head of the Israeli Shin Bet security service, threatened a few days ago to continue assassinating leaders of the resistance and Hamas, both inside and outside Israel, saying: "We have one message, and there is no compromise: no place in the world is too far away, there is no forgiveness, and there is no expiration date. We have pursued you, we are pursuing you, and we will continue to pursue you."
Hamas contacts
Hamas announced that its political bureau chief, Khalil al-Hayya, had conducted a series of intensive contacts with mediators "in light of the dangerous developments in the Gaza Strip and the escalating Zionist attacks against our people." The movement stated
that al-Hayya sent messages to a number of brotherly and friendly countries, warning of the worsening humanitarian crisis with the approach of winter. This crisis stems from the Israeli occupation's prevention of the entry of heavy machinery needed to remove rubble and secure buildings at risk of collapse, as well as its obstruction of the delivery of caravans, tents, and supplies for protection from the cold and rain, leaving tens of thousands in unsafe shelter conditions.
Al-Hayya emphasized the gravity of the escalating attacks and assassinations in the Gaza Strip and the continued aggression and violations in the West Bank and at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. He asserted that this "undermines the chances for calm and stability and, along with the restrictions imposed on relief, recovery, and reconstruction, constitutes a violation of the commitments outlined in President Trump's plan."
The head of the movement called on mediators and relevant parties to continue pressuring the occupation to abide by the agreements reached, particularly the requirements of the first phase, foremost among them halting targeted attacks and assassinations, and allowing the immediate and unrestricted entry of heavy machinery, rescue and shelter equipment, and all other necessities for winter.
Hamas stated that the mediators affirmed, during the discussions, their continued efforts to provide relief to the Gaza Strip and meet urgent humanitarian needs, and their ongoing contacts with relevant and influential parties to push for the implementation of the agreement and the fulfillment of its obligations.
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