GAZA CITY: A top Hamas official said on Friday that talks in Miami to advance the next phase of Gaza ceasefire must aim to end Israeli truce violations.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is to meet officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye in Florida, hoping to salvage efforts to reach the second stage of the deal.

“Our people expect these talks to result in an agreement to put an end to ongoing Israeli lawlessness, halt all violations and compel the occupation to abide by the Sharm El Sheikh agreement,” Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim said.

During the second stage, Israel is supposed to withdraw from its positions in Gaza, an interim authority is to govern the Palestinian territory instead of Hamas, and an international stabilisation force is to be deployed.

Israel and Hamas backed the agreement, which was brokered by Washington and its regional allies, in October, but progress has been slow.

The ceasefire also remains fragile with both sides alleging violations, and mediators fearing that Israel and Hamas alike are stalling.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Thursday that 395 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the territory since the ceasefire came into effect on Oct 10.

‘Real pressure’ needed

Egypt, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, said it was pushing for a swift implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire deal.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that while swift implementation was essential to realising all elements of the deal, steps must be taken to halt truce violations.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2025