Hamas delays next hostage release, accusing Israel of ceasefire violations

A spokesperson for militant group Hamas on Monday accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement between the two sides and has said the next hostage release, planned for Saturday, will be delayed.

Five exchanges have been carried out since the first stage of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire went into effect last month, freeing 21 hostages held by Hamas and over 730 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

The next exchange, planned for Saturday, was set to see three additional Israeli hostages freed in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, accused Israel of systematically violating the ceasefire agreement 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,” Abu Obeida said.

“This includes delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, targeting them with airstrikes and gunfire across various areas of the Strip, and failing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid as agreed.”

This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.