„Hamas“ has postponed the release of Israeli hostages due to „violations“ of the ceasefire by Israel, the British newspaper „Guardian“ writes in the headline, BTA reports.
„Hamas“ has stated that it is postponing the release of Israeli hostages indefinitely due to „violations“ of the ceasefire agreement, which prompted Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to put the country's armed forces on alert with orders to prepare for "any scenario in Gaza."
The mediators fear a collapse of the three-week ceasefire, Egyptian security sources told Reuters, and have postponed the talks until they receive a clear sign of Washington's intention to continue the multi-phase agreement.
Israel's security cabinet has postponed a meeting to discuss the second phase of talks scheduled for tonight. The army has canceled all leave for soldiers in the Gaza division, Kan radio reported, in another sign that Israeli authorities are preparing for a resumption of the war.
Late last night, Hamas said the “door remains open“ for the next prisoner swap, which is due to take place on Saturday. In a statement, the armed group said it deliberately made the announcement five days before the planned prisoner handover, giving mediators enough time to pressure (Israel) to fulfill their obligations.
Although a “Hamas“ spokesman cited Israeli violations to halt the swap, the group's decision to postpone the hostage release came as US and Israeli leaders take increasingly hardline positions on the long-term future of the Palestinian enclave. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for a Gaza free of Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly praised Trump's “fresh idea“ for the territory and insisted the war would only end if “Hamas“ cease to exist.
The militant group is using Israeli hostages as leverage and is releasing them in stages to secure the release of prisoners, but most importantly to play a role in determining the future of post-war Gaza, the “Guardian” points out.
Donald Trump has warned that “all” Israeli hostages must be released by Saturday, the British newspaper headlines. “Financial Times“.
The US president has said he would support calling off the ceasefire if the hostages are not released by his deadline.
“As far as I'm concerned, if all the hostages are not released by 12 noon on Saturday (. . .), I would say I'm calling it off and all negotiations are off and I'll let 'all hell break loose,” Trump said, although he did not specify whether the deadline was midnight or noon.
His remarks risk undermining the carefully negotiated ceasefire in Gaza and could change the terms of the deal reached late last year by the Joe Biden administration and Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy for the Middle East.
Asked if he could rule out any involvement After the deadline on Saturday, Trump said: "We'll see what happens."
Although five exchanges have been made, the Palestinian militant group has accused Israel of violating various aspects of the agreement.
It said Israel has delayed the return of Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire in several areas and restricted the entry of humanitarian aid into the devastated enclave.
As a result, Hamas said it would postpone the next hostage release until Israel "complies with the agreement and makes retroactive compensation for the violations committed."
Trump promised Hamas "Hell will break out" if the next release of Israeli hostages fails, the French newspaper "Le Figaro" headlined.
This comes as another release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners was scheduled for Saturday as part of a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on January 19 after 15 months of devastating war in Gaza, the French publication noted.
The second phase of the ceasefire was supposed to lead to the release of all hostages and a final end to the war before the final phase, dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza, begins. Negotiations were planned to discuss the second phase, but they have not yet begun.
This week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to make a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, Le Figaro reports.