The armed wing of Hamas said it had decided to delay Saturday’s scheduled second round of hostage releases until Israel committed to allowing aid trucks to enter northern Gaza. Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades said the hostage releases would be delayed if Israel did not adhere to the agreed terms for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Quick read
- Delayed Hostage Releases: Hamas’ armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, announced the decision to delay the scheduled second round of hostage releases set for Saturday.
- Condition for Resuming Releases: The delay is contingent upon Israel’s commitment to allowing aid trucks to enter northern Gaza, as per the terms agreed in the truce deal.
- Lack of Immediate Israeli Response: There was no immediate response from Israel to Hamas’ statement. Previously, an Israeli military spokesperson had indicated that 13 Israeli hostages were expected to be freed, with 39 Palestinian prisoners to be released in return.
- Terms of the Truce Deal: The truce deal, mediated by Qatar, involves the exchange of a total of 50 hostages for 150 Palestinian prisoners over four days. Some of the Palestinian prisoners are convicted on weapon charges and violent offenses.
- First Exchange Details: In the first exchange on Friday, 13 Israeli women and children were released by Hamas. In return, Israel freed 24 Palestinian women and 15 teenagers from jail.
- Egypt’s Role and Statements: Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing into southern Gaza, had received positive signals from all parties regarding a possible extension of the truce. Egypt’s State Information Service head, Diaa Rashwan, mentioned ongoing extensive talks for an agreement that would facilitate further releases.
- Potential Extension of Ceasefire: Israel has indicated that the ceasefire could be extended if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day, with a possibility of up to 100 hostages being freed.
- Resumption of Hostilities: Both Israel and Hamas have stated that hostilities would resume if the truce ends, although U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope for an extension of the ceasefire.
Reuters has the story:
Hamas delays hostage release, demands aid to northern Gaza
Newslooks- GAZA/JERUSALEM, (Reuters) –
The armed wing of Hamas said it had decided to delay Saturday’s scheduled second round of hostage releases until Israel committed to allowing aid trucks to enter northern Gaza.
Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades said the hostage releases would be delayed if Israel did not adhere to the agreed terms for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
There was no immediate Israeli response to the statement. Earlier an Israeli military spokesperson had told France’s BFM television station that, barring last minute changes, 13 Israeli hostages were expected to be freed.
He said 39 Palestinian prisoners would be released in return.
Under the truce deal between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, a total of 50 hostages are to be exchanged for 150 Palestinian prisoners, some of them convicted on weapon charges and violent offences, over four days.
on Israel, as part of a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, seen from southern Gaza Strip.
In the first exchange on Friday, 13 Israeli women and children – out of around 240 hostages captured by Hamas fighters on a killing spree in southern Israel on Oct. 7 – were released. Twenty-four jailed Palestinian women and 15 teenagers were released from Israeli jails.
Saturday’s setback came just hours after Egypt, which controls the Rafah border crossing into southern Gaza through which vital aid supplies have resumed, said it had received “positive signals” from all parties over a possible extension of that deal.
Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), said in a statement that Cairo was holding extensive talks with all parties to reach an agreement which would mean “the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.”
Israel has said the ceasefire could be extended if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day. A Palestinian source has said up to 100 hostages could go free.
Israel and Hamas have said hostilities would resume as soon as the truce ends, although U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday there was a real chance of extending the truce.
