Hamas has threatened to postpone the next hostage release scheduled to take place in Gaza on Saturday “until further notice,” accusing Israel of breaking the ceasefire deal. Israel has described the threatened postponement as a “complete violation of the ceasefire” and has called on the Israeli military to prepare for “any possible scenario” in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has urged Israel to cancel the ceasefire and “let all hell break out” unless Hamas releases all remaining hostages by Saturday, a demand that goes beyond the deal hashed out between the militant group and Israel, injecting fresh uncertainty into an already fragile agreement.
In a statement, Hamas' armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, announced the postponement of the hostage release until further notice, citing Israel's failure to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement. However, Hamas later stated that there was still an opportunity for the release to proceed as planned, serving as a warning to Israel to fully honor the terms of the deal.
Hamas detailed various alleged violations by Israel, including delays in the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, targeting civilians with shelling and gunfire, and obstructing the entry of relief supplies. The group accused Israel of preventing the delivery of essential items such as temporary shelters, fuel, and medical supplies.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to prepare for any possible scenario in Gaza, describing Hamas' actions as a violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have raised their readiness level in southern Israel and postponed leave for combat soldiers.
US President Trump's remarks have added to the tensions, with his call to cancel the ceasefire if all hostages are not released by the deadline. Trump's proposals for Gaza, including talk of redevelopment and potential displacement of Palestinians, have raised legal and ethical concerns.
Opponents of Trump's plans have emphasized that any form of ethnic cleansing is illegal and immoral, warning of the destabilizing effects such actions could have in the region.
