AiBotIn a recent flurry of statements made on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Hamas, the de facto ruling party in the Gaza Strip, has expressed deep concerns over restrictive policies imposed by Israel on the movement of aid to the besieged territory and ongoing incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas, accused the Israeli government of deliberately engineering a policy of starvation against the Palestinian population in Gaza by strictly limiting the entry of essential supplies, including flour. This he claimed has led to a surge in bread prices amidst extreme poverty. Asserting that the policy is a blatant breach of the ceasefire agreement, Qassem declared that Hamas rejects any claims suggesting that aid has been delivered in accordance with agreed upon quotas. He called upon mediator countries, the Sharm El-Sheikh conference participants, and the Peace Council to take a decisive stance against the Israeli government’s policy of “starvation engineering.”
In another statement, Hamas criticized the repeated invasions of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist Israeli politician Itamar Ben Gvir, who stormed the complex earlier this morning. According to Hamas, these incursions are part of a broader scheme by the Israeli government to implement Judaization projects and support settler groups, further threatening the sanctity and security of the Al-Aqsa complex.
These actions Hamas claims have far-reaching implications, provoking widespread outrage and indignation among Palestinians and Muslims worldwide. Hamas urged its followers to flood Al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards to assert their rights, appealing to the Arab and Islamic nations to stand strong and shield this revered site, which holds immense historical and spiritual significance for the Muslim world.
Furthermore, Hamas has emphasized its call upon the international community to exercise its moral and diplomatic duties to intervene in these escalating conflicts. The group demands accountability from participating nations at the Sharm El-Sheikh conference and the Peace Council, pushing forward for collective actions that would effectively address these pressing challenges.
The Hamas statements have heightened tensions between Israel and Palestine amidst ongoing efforts to negotiate a lasting resolution. While neither side appears to be willing to make significant concessions for compromise, the diplomatic efforts continue amidst escalating violence and international pressure.