Hamas gives reason for pausing hostage release, knocks Israel as tension flares

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ongoing six-week ceasefire agreement, citing the continuous killing of Palestinians and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid.

As a result, the militant group announced a delay in the next hostage exchange, which was scheduled for Saturday.

Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, declared that Israel had failed to uphold the ceasefire terms over the past three weeks. “The resistance leadership has closely monitored the enemy’s violations and its failure to uphold the terms of the agreement,” he stated.

Hamas specifically accused Israel of delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, targeting civilians with airstrikes and gunfire, and failing to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.

Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas had been releasing dozens of hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

So far, 21 hostages and over 730 prisoners have been freed through five separate exchanges. The next scheduled swap was set to release three Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners before Hamas announced the postponement.

The delay adds further strain to the fragile ceasefire, as both sides continue to accuse each other of non-compliance with the agreement.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed no fewer than 48,208 people and wounded 111,655, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.

Gaza’s Government Media Office has raised the death toll to at least 61,709 people, saying thousands who were missing under the rubble are now assumed dead.

On the side of Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed during the October 7, 2023, attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive.