Hamas has called Israeli Defence Minister Katz’s statement regarding keeping border area between Gaza and Egypt as a “buffer zone” a “clear violation of the ceasefire agreement”, Al Jazeera reports.

“Hamas while confirming its full commitment to the ceasefire agreement … is also urging the mediators, the international community and all relevant parties to take immediate and serious action to compel the Israeli occupation to abide by the requirements and provisions of the agreement, and to work hard to prevent Netanyahu and his criminal government from disrupting and thwarting it,” the group said.