Hamas has announced it is suspending all Israeli hostage releases until further notice.
The group has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire conditions which have been in place since 19 January.
Since then, the two sides have exchanged 21 hostages for more than 730 Palestinians. The next exchange was arranged for this Saturday.
Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, said in a statement on Monday that the captives would “remain in place until the occupying entity complies with past obligations and compensates retroactively.”
“Over the past three weeks, the resistance leadership monitored the enemy’s violations and their non-compliance with the terms of the agreement,” he said.
The alleged violations include delaying displaced people's return to northern Gaza. They also include targeted shelling and gunfire attacks, and blocking aid and supplies from reaching the Gaza Strip.
Al Jazeera reports that several Palestinian civilians were shot and killed by Israeli forces as they returned to their homes.
Hamas said it “affirms our commitment” to the agreement’s terms “as long as the occupation commits to them.”
In response, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned Hamas’ decision, calling it an “outright violation of the ceasefire,” swiftly calling on the IDF to maintain the highest level of alert. “We will not return to the reality of [7 October],” he said.
The announcement from the Qassam Brigades comes in light of comments made last week by United States President Donald Trump. This was when he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire deal. He suggested Gazan citizens be replaced in neighbouring countries, while the U.S. could take ownership of the land.
Netanyahu also reiterated last week that he is committed to fulfilling the aims of the war with Hamas, including dismantling their military and governing capacity.
Trump has weighed in today saying if all Israeli hostages held in Gaza were not returned by noon on Saturday he would propose cancelling the ceasefire and letting “all hell break out.”
The ceasefire was implemented following more than a year of bloody war between Israel and Hamas which followed the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel and capture of hostages.
Hamas took 251 hostages and killed about 1,200 people on 7 October, which launched Israel’s military campaign in response, killing more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Of the hostages taken by Hamas, 73 are still held in Gaza, and 34 are confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to be dead.
The initial stages of the agreed-upon terms expire on 1 March. However, this announcement may have long-term implications.
Two Egyptian security sources told Reuters on Monday that mediators fear a breakdown of the ceasefire agreement.
The second phase of the agreement is meant to see all captives released by both sides and a permanent ceasefire, however, this is yet to be finalised.
A third stage could see a multiyear agreement to reconstruct the territory and usher in peace.
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