Hamas Announces To Suspend Release Of Hostages Late This Week, Accuses Israel Of Violating Ceasefire

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas on Monday announced it would delay the release of Israeli hostages planned for this weekend until further notice, as Israel violated the ceasefire.

"The release of prisoners, scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice, pending re retroactive compliance with occupation and fulfillment of obligations in previous weeks," military wing spokesman Hamas Abu Ubaida said. February 11th.

Abu Ubaida said Israeli ceasefire violations included delaying Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, attacking and firing Palestinians, stopping humanitarian aid from entering the region as stipulated in the ceasefire.

On the other hand, Israel accused Hamas of disrespecting the order to release hostages and regulating acts of violence in front of many people when the hostages were handed over to the Red Cross.

Hamas said it made the announcement five days before the release of the hostages scheduled for Saturday so that mediators could pressure Israel to enforce its ceasefire obligation and "maintain the door open so that the exchange of hostages can be carried out on time," Reuters said.

Two Egyptian security sources said mediators were concerned about the failure of the ceasefire agreement. Qatar and Egypt brokered the deal with the United States.

Meanwhile, aid organizations said the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza had increased since the ceasefire took effect. Israel itself denies Hamas' claim that it was hampering the flow of aid.

An official familiar with ceasefire negotiations said Israel had rejected the request of the United Nations, Qatar and other parties to allow temporary housing units to be brought to Gaza to protect displaced persons as required in the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas officials said Israel had blocked the entry of 60,000 cars and 200,000 tents and heavy engines to clean up debris and fuel.

So far, 16 of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the 42-day deal have returned home, while five Thai hostages have been returned in an unscheduled release.

Instead, Israel has released hundreds of prisoners and inmates, including prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks and Palestinians detained during the war and detained without charges.