Hamas announced Thursday that it will continue to release hostages in accordance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. This comes after Hamas accused Israel of breaking the agreement, and stated it would delay its next scheduled exchange for Palestinian prisoners. According to the agreement between Israel and Hamas – a terrorist group that is both U.S.-designated and Israeli – the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners is scheduled to occur on Saturday.
Hamas confirmed in a press release that it would continue to implement the agreement according to what was agreed, including exchanging prisoners in accordance with the timetable specified.
Hamas has said that it spoke to negotiators from Egypt and Qatar regarding “the necessity to adhere to all terms” in the agreement reached with Israel. This includes “securing housing and bringing urgently in caravans and tents, heavy machinery, medical supplies, gasoline, and continuing to flow humanitarian aid as stipulated by the agreement.”
Israel and Hamas both accused each other multiple times of breaking the agreement, but it remained in place, stopping the 15-month conflict in Gaza that was sparked by Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel Defense Forces said that they detected a rocket launch in Gaza but that it fell within the Palestinian territory. The IDF also stated that they were “committed” to fully implement the terms of the agreement regarding the return of hostages.
Hamas claimed that Israel violated the terms of the ceasefire by refusing to allow the full amount agreed to be sent into Gaza, and by shooting at Palestinians who were trying to return home to the devastated Palestinian territory. The deal stated that the three remaining hostages would not be released on Saturday, as required.
Israel responded quickly by saying that it would resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas did not release the hostages.
President Trump said that Hamas must release all remaining Israeli hostages – almost 80 people despite the fact that some were known to be dead – on Saturday or else “all hell will break loose.” Israel has never explicitly supported that change to the ceasefire terms.
Mr. Trump also drew a strong backlash from partners and allies in the region and around the globe for suggesting that a plan would relocate Gaza’s approximately 2.3 million Palestinian residents to other countries and for the U.S. “take over” and turn the territory into a real-estate development.
CBS News’ Gaza team reported that the Israeli military had allowed 150 aid trucks with tents into the enclave over night on Wednesday. It also said it would allow mobile caravans as housing.
The second phase of this deal has begun. If agreed upon, it would result in the release of even more Hamas hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. According to the agreement, 33 Israeli hostages will be released over the next six weeks in exchange for thousands Palestinian prisoners. So far, 21 prisoners have been released, including American and Israeli dual national Keith Siegel.
Antonio Guterres of the United Nations, who was one of those who condemned Mr. Trump’s Gaza plan, has urged Hamas that it resume hostage release and “avoid, at all costs,” any return to fighting on the territory.
Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, said on Wednesday that if the fighting resumed in Gaza it “would not end until Hamas is defeated and all hostages are released,” adding that this would “also allow the realization of US president Trump’s vision of Gaza.”
Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel, October 2023 saw 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage. Israel’s war of retaliation against Hamas in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 48,000. This is according to Gaza’s Hamas Health Ministry.
Independent analyses by outside organizations have estimated that the death toll is closer to 64,000.
