Hamas reportedly delayed its planned second release of hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, accusing Israel of violating their four-day cease-fire deal, which the Jewish state has denied.
The terrorist group’s military wing said no more hostages will be released until the Israeli military commits to allowing more aid trucks to enter northern Gaza, according to Reuters. Hamas also backtracked on Saturday’s release, in part, because Israel has allegedly failed “to meet the agreed-upon standards for releasing [Palestinian] prisoners,” the terror group claimed.
“The Al-Qassam Brigades decide to delay the release of the second batch of prisoners until the occupation adheres to the terms of the agreement related to the entry of relief trucks into the northern Gaza Strip, and due to the failure to adhere to the agreed-upon standards for releasing prisoners,” Hamas announced via Telegram.
The second stage of the hostage-prisoner swap, which would have freed 14 Israeli women and children in exchange for 42 Palestinian prisoners, was scheduled to begin 4 p.m. local time Saturday. If the next group of hostages are not released by midnight, an Israeli official said the Israel Defense Forces will restart military operations in Gaza, effectively halting the mutual cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Israel said it has complied with the terms for the release of Palestinian prisoners, arguing it did not violate the truce.
As for humanitarian aid, reports have indicated that the flow to Gaza hasn’t been fast enough for Hamas. Since Friday, 340 aid trucks have entered the Rafah border crossing from the Egyptian side, most of which have not made it to Gaza yet, as they need to be searched by Israeli officials. At least 133 trucks have entered Gaza so far Saturday.
The unexpected delay comes after 24 hostages — composed of 13 Israelis, ten Thais, and one Filipino — and 39 Palestinian prisoners were simultaneously released Friday, marking the beginning of the fighting pause. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated both sides of the hostage-prisoner release.
At least 50 Israeli women and children were originally negotiated to be exchanged for at least 150 Palestinian women and minors that are imprisoned in Israel, provided the deal continued without any escalation in the conflict. It’s unclear whether the cease-fire will hold, but Qatar is trying to resolve the issue between Israel and Hamas “as soon as possible.”
Before a deal was struck, Hamas previously freed four out of an estimated 240 hostages taken during its October 7 attack on Israel. This is the first official pause in fighting since the invasion.