The Palestinian militant group „Hamas“ said last night that it would release the next three Israeli hostages this weekend as planned in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, meaning there is a chance that the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip will continue to be respected, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Israel, with the support of US President Donald Trump, said it would resume hostilities if the hostages were not released, but did not immediately comment on the statement by “Hamas“.
The group had said it would delay the release of the hostages because Israel was not respecting its part of the ceasefire agreement. “Hamas“ alleges that Israel is not allowing enough shelter materials, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment to clear the rubble into Gaza, among other violations of the ceasefire.
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, the sides have carried out five exchanges, with 21 hostages and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners released so far in the first phase of the truce. The war could resume if an agreement is not reached on a more complex second phase, which would see the return of all remaining hostages captured in the “Hamas” attack. on October 7, 2023, as well as an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, the AP notes.
Yemeni Houthi rebels will immediately take military action if the United States and Israel try to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, the leader of the Iran-backed group, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, said in a video address last night, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
The Houthi leader threatened that his group would intervene with missiles and drones and attack ships in the Red Sea if the United States and Israel try to move Palestinians from Gaza by force.
"I call on all armed forces to be ready for military intervention if the criminal Trump carries out his threat," Houthi said.
From November 2023 Yemeni Houthi rebels have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships off the coast of Yemen in support of Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip who are fighting Israel, disrupting global maritime trade and causing ship diversions and many casualties.