Israel is preparing to restart military operations in Gaza after Hamas announced it would delay the release of Israeli hostages, citing alleged ceasefire violations.
Hamas’ military wing spokesperson, Abu Obeida, said Monday that Israel had failed to uphold key terms of the agreement, including allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza and facilitating agreed-upon humanitarian aid deliveries.
As a result, Obeida said the next planned hostage release, originally scheduled for February 15, would be postponed “until further notice.”
In response, Israeli officials accused the group of breaching the ceasefire. “Hamas’ announcement to stop the release of Israeli hostages is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday.
He added that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had been ordered to prepare for “any possible scenario” in Gaza and to reinforce security along Israel’s border.
The ceasefire agreement initially outlined the release of 33 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. So far, five swaps have taken place, freeing 21 Israeli hostages and more than 730 Palestinian detainees.
The upcoming exchange was supposed to see three more hostages released in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
International mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, are working to prevent a complete breakdown of the truce.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that if all Israeli hostages are not released by Saturday at noon, he will propose canceling the ceasefire and “letting all hell break loose.”
The United Nations has also urged both parties to honor the agreement.
