Hamas calls for Ramazan march to raise stakes in Gaza truce

Hamas has called for Palestinians to march to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque at the start of Ramazan, raising the stakes in ongoing talks for a truce in Gaza.

US President Joe Biden had hoped that the truce will be in place by the holy month.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s call followed comments by Biden that an agreement could be reached between Israel and Hamas as soon as next week for a ceasefire during the Muslim fasting month expected to start this year on March 10.

Both Israel and Hamas have said there is still a wide gulf between them on reaching a ceasefire accord. The Qatari mediators said there is no breakthrough yet.

Al-Aqsa has long been a flashpoint for potential violence, particularly during religious holidays.

Israel has said it may set limits to worship at Al-Aqsa during Ramazan, keeping in view security needs.

Many Palestinians have rejected any such restrictions on their access to the mosque.

Haniyeh said that this is a call on our people in Jerusalem and the West Bank to march to Al-Aqsa since the first day of Ramazan.

Tal Heirich, a Israeli government spokesperson has described Haniyeh’s remarks as very unfortunate. He accused Haniyeh of trying to drag us to wars on other fronts.

She said that we certainly don’t want that, adding we certainly will do whatever it takes to keep the calm.