Hamas calls on international community: Stop Israel

The Palestinian group HAMAS is calling on the international community to take effective measures to stop Israel from expanding its operation in the Gaza Strip and militarily seizing the entire territory of the enclave. This was reported to a TASS correspondent by phone by Khaled al-Qadoumi, a representative of the radical organization in Iran, Focus reports.

"Today, the world must support our oppressed people and use effective tools to stop Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his gang from continuing their war crimes against our people, which have worsened the famine and led to the starvation of our children and families", he said, commenting on the information that the head of the Jewish state's government may decide to expand the military operation in Gaza. Al-Qadoumi emphasizes that "even the Israeli military leadership, attracted by Netanyahu, is against such insane ideas as the invasion of the Gaza Strip".

Referring to the possible continuation of the negotiations, the agency's interlocutor emphasized that "Netanyahu does not want to reach an agreement" on a ceasefire with Hamas. “On the contrary, he has destroyed all hopes for an agreement and continues to kill our people in front of the whole world“, al-Qadoumi said.

“We participated in the humanitarian dialogue and proposed practical and realistic solutions and measures aimed at stopping the aggression and bloodshed, which the mediators confirmed“, he stressed. The radical representative also pointed to “the need to open the checkpoints and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza in sufficient quantities in accordance with international law and without political bargaining“.

Earlier this week, Ynet reported, citing senior officials in Netanyahu's entourage, that the political leadership was close to making a decision on “a full occupation“ of the Palestinian enclave. According to one of the sources of the publication, “the lot has been cast“ and the Israeli side believes that the negotiations for the release of the hostages have reached a dead end and there is no alternative to a military solution. At the same time, according to Ynet, the country's military leadership, including Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, has declared itself against such a move. According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel's security cabinet will meet on August 7 to discuss a "full military takeover" of the entire Gaza Strip, including areas where hostages may be held.