A spokesman for the armed wing of Hamas says the group is postponing the next scheduled release of Israeli hostages, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal. Hamas Delays Hostage release, claiming that Israel has not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.
Three hostages held in Gaza were due to be freed on Saturday in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. However, Hamas Delays Hostage release, further escalating tensions between the two sides. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, called this decision a “complete violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
Key Israeli ally, US President Donald Trump, has suggested that the ceasefire should be canceled if Hamas Delays Hostage release beyond Saturday. “I’d say they ought to be returned by noon on Saturday… all of them, not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two,” he said, emphasizing urgency.
Seventy-three hostages taken during Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, along with three others taken a decade earlier, are still being held in Gaza. If Hamas Delays Hostage release further, Trump warned, “All hell is going to break out.” When asked if he meant retaliation from Israel, he said, “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean.”
Katz stated that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces to “prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the communities.” He reaffirmed that Hamas Delays Hostage release would not be tolerated. “We will not allow a return to the reality of 7 October,” he added.
The announcement from Hamas came just before people gathered in Tel Aviv to mark the 24th birthday of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, his second in captivity. He was taken hostage from the Nova festival on 7 October 2023. Hamas Delays Hostage release, prolonging the suffering of families waiting for their loved ones.
Mia Goldstein, attending a rally for Ohel, told the BBC that there should be “immense pressure” to get the rest of the hostages out. She described Hamas Delays Hostage release as “horrifying.” Michal Neeman, protesting in Tel Aviv after Hamas’s announcement, said, “The hostages should have been out months ago. You see the situation, they are dying there, and their blood is on this government’s hands.”
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq warned that “any delays” to the fragile ceasefire deal would be problematic. He emphasized that all parties should adhere to their stated agreements and timelines, but Hamas Delays Hostage release despite prior commitments.
Hamas has stated that the “door remains open” for the exchange to proceed on Saturday, provided Israel “complies” with its obligations, according to news agency AFP. However, Hamas Delays Hostage release while accusing Israel of blocking the return of displaced Palestinians, firing on civilians, and failing to allow in humanitarian aid.
The militant group’s announcement follows strong remarks by the US president about Gaza’s future. Trump recently proposed US-led redevelopment of Gaza, including resettlement of Palestinians outside the territory, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised as “revolutionary and creative.” Meanwhile, Hamas Delays Hostage release, further intensifying political tensions.
Israel previously delayed the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza by two days, accusing Hamas of breaking a commitment to free a female Israeli civilian hostage. Additionally, Israel temporarily held back Palestinian prisoners’ release after expressing anger over the way hostages were released in front of large crowds in Gaza. With Hamas Delays Hostage release once again, concerns over the ceasefire’s viability continue to grow.
On Friday, Hamas missed a deadline to release the names of hostages set for Saturday’s exchange, further fueling tensions. The UN’s humanitarian chief previously described a “massive surge” in aid into Gaza, contradicting Hamas’s claims. Despite ongoing disputes, Hamas Delays Hostage release while negotiations remain in flux.
Since the ceasefire began on 19 January, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released in exchange for 566 Palestinian prisoners. By the end of the ceasefire’s first stage in three weeks, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to be freed, though Israel says eight of those hostages are already dead. However, Hamas Delays Hostage release, casting uncertainty over future exchanges.
Hamas took 251 hostages and killed approximately 1,200 people during its 7 October 2023 attack. In response, Israel launched a military campaign, which, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, has resulted in at least 48,000 Palestinian deaths. As Hamas Delays Hostage release once again, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.
