Hamas has announced a delay in the release of additional Israeli captives scheduled for Saturday, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel. The group stated that the captives would remain in place “until further notice” and would not be released until Israel meets its obligations and provides retroactive compensation, according to Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. This announcement has raised concerns that the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel could collapse.
Israel condemned Hamas’s suspension of the release and called it a violation of the ceasefire, putting its military on high alert. U.S. President Donald Trump also suggested that the agreement should be canceled unless all Israeli captives are freed by the weekend.
The current ceasefire, which has lasted for six weeks, involves Hamas releasing dozens of Israeli captives taken during the October 7, 2023 attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Abu Obeida claims that Israel has violated several terms of the truce, which was negotiated over months.
