Hamas suspends release of Israeli captives over ceasefire violations

Hamas has announced that plans to release more Israeli hostages on Saturday have been postponed "until further notice" due to Israel's violation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This announcement has heightened tensions between the two sides and cast a shadow over the future of the ceasefire agreement.

Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement on Monday that the hostages would "remain in their place" unless Israel "adheres to past obligations and compensates retroactively." This statement suggests Hamas's strong dissatisfaction with Israel's implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

Israel and Hamas are currently in a six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas is releasing dozens of hostages captured in the October 7th attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Abu Obaida pointed out that Israel violated several parts of the ceasefire agreement reached by both sides, including delaying the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, shelling and shooting at them, and failing to allow all forms of aid to enter as agreed.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz quickly responded to Hamas's move, calling the decision "a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement." Katz stated, "I have instructed the (military) to be on the highest level of alert and to prepare for any eventuality that may arise in Gaza." The two sides have conducted five exchanges since the ceasefire took effect last month, releasing 21 Israelis and more than 730 Palestinians. The next exchange, originally scheduled for Saturday, planned to release three Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Furthermore, Palestinian activist and politician Mustafa Barghouti stated that Israel violated the agreement in three ways: obstructing temporary housing and humanitarian aid, shooting at the people of Gaza, and supporting Trump's plan for ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Barghouti pointed out that Netanyahu threatened to return to war and claimed he would never stop the war. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim also stated that Israel has not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement, and that 25 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured by Israeli forces since the ceasefire took effect.