Hamas announced on Monday it had suspended the release of Israeli hostages that was scheduled to take place on Saturday. The Palestinian militant group stated that the release would be delayed until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the agreed ceasefire.
Three hostages held in Gaza are due to be freed on Saturday in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
Abu Obaida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades—the armed wing of Hamas—claimed that Israel had failed to meet its commitments by obstructing the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and targeting displaced Palestinians attempting to return to the northern part of the enclave.
Reacting to the development, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant dubbed the move as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire terms in Gaza and ordered the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to be on the highest level of alert.
“I have instructed the IDF to be in the highest state of readiness to prepare for any possible scenario and to protect border communities. We will not return to the reality of October 7,” Gallant emphasized.
