Hamas says it’s delaying the release of Israeli hostages until further notice, accusing Israel of breaching the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
“Violations include delaying the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire in various areas of the Strip, and failing to allow the entry of humanitarian aid in all its agreed-upon forms,” Hamas says
Israel calls the decision a “complete violation” of the ceasefire deal, which began last month.
“I have instructed the IDF to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza,” says Defence Minister Israel Katz.
In total, 17 Israeli hostages were still due to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire, eight of whom Israel says are dead. The next release was due on Saturday.
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel in exchange for the hostages released so far.
