Gaza ceasefire on edge as hostages delay sparks tensions
Hamas has announced that it is adhering to the terms of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip but accuses Israel of failing to comply, leading to "complications or delays." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to resume fighting if Hamas does not release more hostages on Saturday.
The Hamas statement emphasized: "The (Israeli) occupation is the party that has failed to meet its commitments, and it bears full responsibility for any delays or complications." On Monday, Hamas announced the suspension of the next round of hostage exchanges for Palestinian prisoners, which was supposed to happen on Saturday.
The gradual release of abductees is one of the key points of the temporary ceasefire that has been in effect since January 19.
Hamas claims that the delay in exchanging hostages is a reaction to Israel's previous violations of other provisions of the agreement, including those related to humanitarian aid deliveries.
Netanyahu warned that the failure to release the hostages on Saturday would mean the end of the ceasefire and the resumption of "intense fighting". U.S. President Donald Trump previously issued a similar ultimatum to Hamas.
Humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip
The war in the Gaza Strip has been ongoing since October 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping 251. Seventy-three of them are still imprisoned. More than 47,000 residents of the Gaza Strip have died in the fighting, and most of the 2.1 million residents have become internally displaced persons.
According to earlier agreements, the first phase of the ceasefire is to end in early March. Further extension of the truce is uncertain. Israeli authorities do not want to agree to maintain Hamas' power in the Gaza Strip. Hamas declares it will not release the hostages without the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The prospect of an agreement is also complicated by recent statements by Trump, in which he announced taking control of the Gaza Strip and relocating its residents. The U.S. is one of the mediators in negotiations between Hamas and Israel.
