Hamas said Monday it was suspending this weekend’s hostage release in the Gaza Strip, blaming Israel for not following the terms of a ceasefire agreement that paused the 15-month war in the Palestinian enclave.
Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, cited alleged Israeli violations of the agreement over the past three weeks, including delaying the return of the displaced people to northern Gaza, not allowing aid to enter the enclave, and shelling and gunfire in various areas of the strip.
As a result, the handover of hostages scheduled for Saturday “will be postponed until further notice” and until Israel “commits to and compensates for the past weeks retroactively,” Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida said via social media.
The announcement triggered alarm among families of hostages anxiously waiting for the return of their loved ones, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum appealing for help from countries mediating the next and second stage of the ceasefire.
“Recent evidence from those released, as well as the shocking conditions of the hostages released last Saturday, leaves no room for doubt — time is of the essence, and all hostages must be urgently rescued from this horrific situation,” the group said.
At Saturday’s hostage release — the fifth since the ceasefire agreement began on Jan. 19 — Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami looked frail and weak.
Qatar, the United States and Egypt have helped mediate the talks between Israel and Hamas, with negotiators due to hammer out details of the deal’s second phase now.
Israeli officials denounced the announcement, with Defense Minister Israel Katz calling it “a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
“I have instructed the IDF to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the communities,” he said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
