Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said on Wednesday that Israel is deliberately obstructing the work of humanitarian organizations and preventing the entry of life-saving aid into the Gaza Strip.

Speaking amid an escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Hamdan stressed that Israel has failed to honor its obligations, particularly regarding the unrestricted flow of humanitarian assistance, fuel, and essential supplies. He said the continued closure and restrictions imposed on crossings are worsening the suffering of Gaza’s civilian population, which has endured months of relentless bombardment and siege.

Hamdan firmly rejected any discussion of Hamas surrendering its weapons, describing such demands as “detached from reality” so long as Israel continues to breach the ceasefire. He emphasized that resistance cannot be separated from Israel’s ongoing aggression and refusal to comply with agreed terms.

The Hamas leader also sharply criticized the United States for its unwavering political and military support for Israel, arguing that Washington bears direct responsibility for enabling Israel’s actions. He called on the U.S. administration to move beyond rhetoric and exert genuine pressure on Israel to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, including allowing aid to reach Gaza without delay or obstruction.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Hamdan called for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid and fuel and demanded the full opening of the Rafah crossing. He warned that continued delays threaten to deepen the already catastrophic conditions faced by Palestinians, particularly children, the sick, and the displaced.

Hamdan further condemned what he described as systematic Israeli efforts to depopulate Palestinian land, not only in Gaza but also across the occupied West Bank. He stressed that despite mass killings, destruction, and forced displacement, Palestinians remain steadfast and refuse to abandon their land.

Rejecting claims of internal disarray, Hamdan denied any leadership vacuum within Hamas, stating that the movement is collectively led by a five-member council that continues to manage political and strategic decisions.

Since October 7, 2023, Hamdan said, Israeli forces—backed by the United States and European powers—have carried out widespread killings, displacement, and destruction throughout Gaza, while ignoring repeated international calls to halt the aggression. He concluded by reaffirming that the Palestinian people will continue to resist attempts to erase their presence and rights, despite the immense human cost imposed by Israel’s ongoing war. (ILKHA)