The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned Peace Council representative Nikolay Mladenov for adopting Israel’s narrative over the suspension of goods shipments intended for Gaza’s private sector, warning that such a position risks legitimizing the continued siege and worsening the suffering of Palestinians in the devastated enclave.

In a statement issued on Friday, Hamas categorically rejected Israeli allegations that it had obstructed the entry of private-sector goods, imposed taxes on merchants or threatened traders, describing the accusations as “completely baseless.”

The movement said Mladenov’s endorsement of the Israeli account demonstrated clear bias towards the occupying power and risked providing cover for restrictions that further deprive Palestinians of essential supplies.

Hamas stressed that the allegations were part of what it described as a recurring attempt to intensify Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and evade Israel’s obligations under the ceasefire agreement.

The movement called on Mladenov to stop echoing Israeli claims and instead address the restrictions imposed on Gaza’s besieged population, as well Israel’s ongoing violations of fundamental human rights.

It urged him to take immediate action to pressure Israel to lift the blockade, ensure the entry of essential goods and halt attacks killing Palestinian civilians, including children.

Hamas also called for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to enter the territory without further delay and begin carrying out its responsibilities, particularly efforts to rebuild homes and civilian infrastructure destroyed by Israeli military operations.

The movement said addressing Gaza’s catastrophic humanitarian situation requires concrete action to end restrictions on goods, ease the suffering of displaced families and launch reconstruction across the war-ravaged territory.

Palestinians in Gaza continue to face immense humanitarian challenges after months of war and widespread destruction. Restrictions on the entry of supplies threaten to compound shortages and undermine efforts to restore essential services.

Hamas’s statement underscored the need for international representatives to press Israel to fulfil its ceasefire obligations and ensure that humanitarian assistance and commercial goods can enter Gaza without obstruction, rather than endorsing allegations that could be used to justify further restrictions on the besieged population. (ILKHA)