Hamas delays release of Israeli hostages ‘until further notice’ | World | News

Hamas has announced it will delay the release of Israeli hostages “until further notice” as the ceasefire agreement in the Middle East appears to be at risk of collapsing.

The terrorist organisation will not release three hostages on Saturday, seemingly violating the terms of a fragile agreement with Israel, according to a post by the group’s spokesperson on Telegram.

Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, Hamas‘ military wing, said: “During the past three weeks, the resistance leadership has monitored the enemy’s violations and failure to abide by the terms of the agreement, including delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, and targeting them with shelling and gunfire.

“The handover of the Zionist prisoners who were scheduled to be released next Saturday, February 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice, and until the occupation commits to and compensates for the past weeks retroactively.

“We affirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation commits to them.”

The first phase of the ceasefire was scheduled to last for three more weeks, with talks on the second phase due to begin on February 3.

It would potentially include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of more of the 33 hostages captured by Hamas during its attack on October 7, 2023.

The agreement sparked hope for many that an end to the long-running conflict was in sight, with the withdrawl of Israeli forces from the four-mile Netzarim corridor between northern and southern Gaza the latest sign of its progress.

But pressure also mounted on Israel after reports that three people were killed by the country’s military east of Gaza City on Sunday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not agree to a complete withdrawal from the region until Hamas’ military and political capacities are eliminated.

Meanwhile, Hamas has said it will not return all the Israeli hostages until all Israeli troops have left the territory.

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, stipulated the release of dozens of Israeli hostages in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Five swaps have been carried out in the intervening weeks, with 21 hostages and over 730 prisoners freed so far.