Hamas says still ready to go ahead with Gaza plan

GAZA: On August 8, 2023, Hamas declared it remained committed to advancing a US-backed Gaza peace plan, urging Israel to face pressure despite its denial of the latest plan aspect. Hamas communicated its support for the latest stage to US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, involving the surrender of weapons to a Palestinian governing committee.

The militants would then proceed to the second phase, contingent on Israeli approval and the commencement of Israel's implementation. A Hamas official told AFP, urging the US administration to pressure Israel to adhere to the agreement and move to the second phase. Trump hailed Hamas' disarmament agreement as a breakthrough, with Israel to withdraw in stages from Gaza.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing an October reelection and opposition from his right-wing base, denied this, stating Israel would only withdraw after Hamas fully disarmed. Israeli military vowed to continue targeting Hamas, which carried out the deadliest attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli gunfire killed one Palestinian man and injured 10 others, including children, in central Gaza on Saturday, reported Mahmoud Bassal, a civil defense agency spokesman.

Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in 1,258 Palestinian deaths since October last year, according to Hamas-operated figures. Israeli military casualties during the same period total five.