Launched hostage Ohad Ben Ami draped in an Israeli flag arrives at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Middle – Ichilov Hospital by helicopter, on Feb. 8, in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Photos
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Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Photos
TEL AVIV, Israel — A spokesperson for the militant group Hamas stated Monday that it could delay the discharge of the following group of Israeli hostages scheduled for this Saturday, imperiling a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas’ announcement comes days after President Trump floated a plan for the U.S. to take over Gaza and relocate the enclave’s Palestinian residents and 4 weeks right into a ceasefire settlement that has seen Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Trump has since doubled down on that plan.
Abu Obeida, the navy spokesman for Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades, accused Israel of violating the phrases of the deal. He stated Israel is “delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, focusing on them with shelling and gunfire in numerous areas of the Strip, and never permitting aid provides of every kind to enter as agreed upon.”
In an announcement, Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz stated the Hamas announcement “is an entire violation of the ceasefire settlement and the hostage launch deal.”
He added that he had requested the nation’s navy “to arrange on the highest stage of readiness for any potential situation in Gaza and to make sure the safety of Israeli communities.”
On the finish of the primary section of the deal, 33 Israeli hostages would’ve been freed in alternate for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Greater than 70 Israeli hostages are presently held by Hamas, lots of whom are believed to be useless, in accordance with Israel.
A gaggle advocating for the discharge of all hostages stated that they had “urgently requested help from the mediating international locations to assist restore and implement the prevailing deal successfully.” The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board added that they stood by the Israeli authorities and that they “encourage sustaining the circumstances” to free all of the remaining hostages.
The three male hostages launched final Saturday appeared gaunt and frail, and Israelis reacted with anger and horror at their look.
To date 16 Israeli hostages have been launched on this deal, in alternate for greater than 670 Palestinian prisoners and detainees free of Israeli jails. 5 Thai hostages had been additionally launched. That they had been working in Israel as agricultural laborers, and weren’t a part of the deal.
The subsequent stage of the deal is meant to see extra hostages launched for prisoners and an additional withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Trump’s Center East envoy, Steve Witkoff, performed a key position in persuading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to simply accept the ceasefire’s first section, which started on Jan. 19.
The Israeli chief’s far-right allies, nevertheless, have threatened to deliver down the federal government if Israel doesn’t resume the warfare in Gaza and get rid of Hamas rule there.
Hamas has lengthy accused Netanyahu of making obstacles within the deal. Netanyahu and his allies have, in flip, accused Hamas of demanding modifications to agreements already made.
The U.S. has been serving to mediate the talks, alongside Egypt and Qatar, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to go to Israel and key Arab states — Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — this week, the State Division stated.
President Trump’s plans to have the U.S. take over Gaza and relocate the almost 2 million Palestinians elsewhere have invited the ire of Hamas’ management in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority within the West Financial institution, in addition to rejection from regional leaders and lots of U.S allies.
Egypt introduced Sunday it could host a summit of Arab leaders later within the month, amid alarm within the area over President Trump’s proposals.
A lot of the hostages on the listing of 33 had been among the many greater than 250 individuals captured throughout the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which led to the warfare in Gaza.
Round 1,200 Israelis had been killed within the Hamas assault, in accordance with Israeli officers, whereas greater than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, in accordance with well being officers within the enclave.
Nuha Musleh in Ramallah, West Financial institution, Itay Stern in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Ahmed Abuhamda in Cairo contributed to this report.
