Hamas Delays Captive Release, Citing Israeli Ceasefire Violations
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Hamas has announced a halt to the planned release of Israeli captives, accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the ongoing ceasefire. The group’s spokesperson, Abu Obeida, stated on Monday that the captives would remain in place “until the occupying entity complies with past obligations and compensates retroactively.”
Ceasefire in Jeopardy?
The ceasefire agreement, brokered to facilitate the exchange of captives and prisoners, has led to the release of 21 Israelis and over 730 Palestinians so far. However, Hamas claims Israel has violated multiple terms, including delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, attacking civilians, and restricting humanitarian aid.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, dismissed the accusations and warned of potential military action, stating that Hamas’s move is a “complete violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
Mounting Tensions
The dispute over the ceasefire terms comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump sparks controversy with comments about Gaza, suggesting that the U.S. should “buy and own” the territory while opposing any Palestinian right of return. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on continuing military operations to destroy Hamas.
With both sides trading accusations and the first stage of the ceasefire set to expire on March 1, uncertainty looms over whether the truce will hold—or if another escalation is imminent.
