Gaza ceasefire: Hamas postpones hostage release ‘until further notice’

Hamas announced next hostage release scheduled on Saturday will be postponed “until further notice,” accusing Israel of breaking the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Israel described the postponement as a “complete violation of the ceasefire” and called on the Israeli military to prepare for “any possible scenario” in Gaza.

In a post on X, Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, said that the handover of the prisoners “who were scheduled to be released next Saturday … will be postponed until further notice, and until the occupation commits to and compensates for the entitlements of the past weeks retroactively.”

“Over the past three weeks, the leadership of the resistance has monitored the enemy’s violations and its failure to comply with the terms of the agreement.

“These violations include delaying the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire in various areas of the Strip, and failing to allow the entry of humanitarian aid in all its agreed-upon forms.

“Meanwhile, the resistance has fully honoured its commitments.

“Accordingly, the release of the Zionist prisoners, which was scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice, pending the enemy’s compliance and the retroactive fulfilment of the past weeks’ obligations.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation adheres to them.”
 
Obeida said various alleged violations of the agreement by Israel over the past three weeks, including “delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, targeting them with shelling and gunfire in various areas of the Strip, and not allowing the entry of relief supplies in all their forms according to what was agreed upon.”

Israel responded to Hamas’s decision to suspend hostage releases. A statement from Defence Minister Israel Katz says, “Hamas’ announcement to stop releasing Israeli hostages is a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal to release the hostages.

“I have instructed the IDF to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the communities.

“We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7.”

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold consultations with his security leadership team, an Israeli official said.

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