- Hamas postpones scheduled hostage release, citing Israeli ceasefire violations.
- Israeli Defense Minister orders military to prepare for potential escalation.
- Tensions rise as both sides accuse each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas has announced the postponement of the next scheduled hostage release in Gaza, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel.
In a statement on X, Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades—Hamas’ armed wing—claimed that the handover of hostages “scheduled to be released next Saturday… will be postponed until further notice.” He added that the delay would remain in effect “until the occupation commits to and compensates for the entitlements of the past weeks retroactively.”
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“We affirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation commits to them,” Obeida stated.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, responded by ordering the military to maintain “the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza,” calling Hamas’ move a “complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal to release the hostages.”
Far-right politician and former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged an immediate military response. “Hamas’ announcement must have one real-life response: a massive attack on Gaza from the air and land, alongside a complete halt to humanitarian aid, including electricity, fuel, and water,” he said in a Monday statement.
Throughout the ceasefire’s first phase, both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating the agreement, raising concerns over whether the fragile truce—reached after more than 15 months of negotiations—will hold.
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Hamas released three hostages on Saturday as part of the ongoing exchange. In return, Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners, including 18 serving life sentences. Most of those released had been detained in Gaza since October 7 without formal charges.
So far, Hamas has freed 16 Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal, out of a total of 33 it had agreed to release in stages. However, Israeli authorities say eight of those 33 hostages are already dead.
