Hamas has welcomed the joint statement from several Arab countries following a meeting of foreign ministers in Amman which condemned Israel’s escalation in Gaza, saying it “underscores the gravity of the escalation and violations perpetrated by the occupying government, which threaten the future of the entire agreement”.

Hamas called on the signatories, as well as the US and ceasefire mediators to prevent Israel “from sabotaging the agreement through continued killing, aggression and reneging on the obligations imposed by the ceasefire agreement”.

This comes after Hamas agreed in July to a document setting out a plan for their disarmament in Gaza, in return for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.