Hamas delays release of more Israeli hostages on Saturday

Hamas has said it will delay the release of more hostages after accusing Israel of violating their ceasefire deal. 

It said Saturday’s planned handover would not go ahead, presenting the Gaza truce with its first major crisis.

A spokesman claimed violations had included “delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, and targeting them with shelling and gunfire”.

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Abu Obeida said Hamas remained committed if Israel kept to the terms, but that the 15 February handover was postponed “until the occupation commits to and compensates for the past weeks retroactively”.

The last release of hostages was at the weekend, when three Israeli men and five Thai men were freed.

They were among about 250 people originally taken during the October 2023 terror attack that killed around 1,200 people.

The hostage deal began last month and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners have been released in exchange. There’s also been a crucial truce in the Gaza War.

Five swaps have taken place so far, with 21 hostages set free by Hamas after 16 months in captivity.

Saturday’s swap was due to see three more Israelis and hundreds of Palestinians released.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will bring forward an assessment with his security cabinet to today, according to an Israeli official.

Defence minister Israel Katz said any delay would be “a complete violation” and he had instructed troops to be on highest alert.

The Hostages and Missing Family Forum called on mediating countries to restore the deal, saying “time is of the essence” and citing “the shocking conditions of the hostages released last Saturday”.

The potential delay comes as President Trump reiterated his controversial proposal for the US to take over and rebuild Gaza, adding that Palestinians forced out would have no right to return.

He said he was committed to “buying and owning” the enclave.

Arab countries would agree to take in Palestinians after speaking with him, Mr Trump said, adding that its residents would leave if they had a choice.

“They don’t want to return to Gaza. If we could give them a home in a safer area – the only reason they’re talking about returning to Gaza is they don’t have an alternative,” he said.

On Sunday, Israeli forces also pulled back from a key passage through Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal.

The four-mile-long Netzarim corridor separates northern Gaza from the south, and hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have now crossed back over.

However, Israel pushed back its withdrawal a few days in protest at the chaotic release of hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses.

This may be what Hamas is referencing what it talks of “delaying the return of the displaced”.

There have also been examples of Israeli troops shooting at or near Palestinians approaching Israeli forces after being warned to stay back.

The hard-won ceasefire deal took effect on 19 January and is in its first 42-day phase – but so far little progress has been made on an extension.

A delegation from Israel has arrived in Qatar for further talks amid concern it might collapse before all remaining hostages are freed.

Israel has previously said it will not agree to a complete withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas’s military and political capabilities are eliminated.

Hamas has countered that it will not hand over the final hostages until Israel removes all its troops from Gaza.