A spokesperson for Hamas on Monday accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement between the two sides, leading to the delay of the next planned hostage release.
Since the ceasefire began last month, five exchanges have taken place, resulting in the release of 21 hostages held by Hamas and over 730 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.
The next planned exchange, scheduled for Saturday, was set to see the release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. However, Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that Israel has consistently violated the ceasefire over the past three weeks.
“The resistance leadership has closely monitored the enemy’s violations and its failure to uphold the terms of the agreement,” said Obeida.
He cited delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, airstrikes and gunfire targeting them in various parts of the Strip, and Israel’s failure to allow humanitarian aid to enter as examples of Israel’s breach of the agreement.
