Hamas has said it will delay the release of more hostages after accusing Israel of violating their ceasefire deal.
It said Saturday’s planned handover would not go ahead, presenting the Gaza truce with its first major crisis.
A spokesman claimed over the past three weeks violations had included “delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, and targeting them with shelling and gunfire”.
Abu Obeida said Hamas remained committed if Israel kept to the terms, but that the 15 February handover was postponed “until the occupation commits to and compensates for the past weeks retroactively”.
The last release of hostages was at the weekend, when three Israeli men and five Thai men were freed.
They were among about 250 people originally taken during the October 2023 terror attack that killed around 1,200 people.
The hostage deal began last month and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners have been released in exchange. There’s also been a crucial truce in the Gaza War.
Five swaps have taken place so far, with 21 hostages set free by Hamas after 16 months in captivity.
Saturday’s swap was due to see three more Israelis and hundreds of Palestinians released.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said any delay would be “a complete violation” of the deal and that he’d instructed troops to be on highest alert.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately comment.
The Hostages and Missing Family Forum called on mediating countries to restore the existing deal, saying “time is of the essence” and citing “the shocking conditions of the hostages released last Saturday”.
Biggest threat to the ceasefire so far
Strangely, Hamas makes no reference to President Trump’s vow to “own” Gaza, evict Palestinians from the Strip and prevent them from returning. A plan that has been jumped on by many in Israel, including Benjamin Netanyahu.
It’s possible Hamas is also seeking to capitalise on the shock and anger inside Israel after the three hostages released last Saturday were so emaciated.
Many in Israel blame Netanyahu for not doing a deal sooner and urged him to make sure the ceasefire holds. Hamas might be looking to add to that pressure.
The ceasefire has been fragile since it was agreed, and has overcome a number of bumps.
There is still five days until the next release, time for the mediators to mend the differences, but this is the biggest threat to the ceasefire so far and could see it collapse altogether.
The potential delay comes as President Trump reiterated his controversial proposal for the US to take over Gaza, rebuild it, and move out Palestinians.
He said he was committed to “buying and owning” the enclave, which has been almost completely flattened by Israeli bombardment.
Arab countries would agree to take in Palestinians after speaking with him, Mr Trump said, adding that its residents would leave if they had a choice.
“They don’t want to return to Gaza. If we could give them a home in a safer area – the only reason they’re talking about returning to Gaza is they don’t have an alternative,” he said.
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‘I would own this’ – Trump on Gaza
On Sunday, Israeli forces pulled back from a key passage through Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal.
The four-mile-long Netzarim corridor separates northern Gaza from the south, and hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have now crossed to survey the devastation of their communities.
The ceasefire deal began on 19 January and is in its first 42-day phase, but little progress has been made on an extension.
A delegation from Israel has arrived in Qatar for further talks amid concern it might collapse before all remaining hostages are freed.
Israel has previously said it will not agree to a complete withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas’s military and political capabilities are eliminated.
Hamas has countered that it will not hand over the final hostages until Israel removes all its troops from Gaza.
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