Hamas responds to Netanyahu’s refusal to open Rafah crossing

Hamas issued a statement condemning ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to keep the Rafah Border Crossing closed “until further notice”.

The Palestinian group said Netanyahu’s decision is a "flagrant breach" of the ceasefire agreement, which is now in its second week.

Read more: Netanyahu says war on Gaza not over until Hamas disarms

Earlier today, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, that the crossing would reopen only after Hamas hands over the bodies of all deceased captives still held in Gaza.

"Its reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfills its obligations to return the hostages and the bodies of the deceased, and to implement the agreed-upon terms" of the ceasefire, the office added.

Hamas accused Netanyahu of repudiating his commitments made to mediators and guarantor parties.

The statement added that the continued closure of the Rafah crossing is preventing the exit of injured and sick citizens, blocking the passage of people in both directions, and hindering the entry of specialized equipment and teams needed for searching and identifying bodies under the rubble.

The group warned that this will "lead to a delay in the operations of retrieving and handing over bodies."

Continued Aggression

Hamas said that ‘Israel’ has committed more than 47 documented violations of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in 38 killed and 143 injured.

The group stated that this pattern "proves once again [Israel's] aggressive intentions and continuation of the siege policy" against the more than two million Palestinians in Gaza.