Hamas pauses hostage exchange

Hamas claims to pause all exchange of hostages "for the time being", but also that the door "still remains open" for the prisoner exchange to continue as planned. Israel has responded by putting the military on high alert.

» Published:

Hamas pauses hostage exchange
Photo: Oded Balilty/AP/TT

Share this article

The move from Hamas' armed branch, al-Qassam Brigade, comes after dissatisfaction over Israel's repeated breaches of the ceasefire.

According to Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas' armed branch, Israel has delayed Gaza residents' opportunities to reach northern Gaza and blocked aid shipments to the strip.

The next release of hostages in Gaza was scheduled to take place on Saturday, and in a later statement, the terrorist-stamped group says that the message about a pause should primarily be seen as a "warning" to pressure Israel to act strictly according to the agreement.

Giving Mediators Time

Hamas has "deliberately made the statement five days before the scheduled prisoner exchange to give mediators enough time to pressure Israel to fulfill its commitments", the group writes and continues:

"The door is still open for the prisoner exchange to be carried out as planned".

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz writes in a statement about Hamas' first message that it is "a total breach of the agreement".

He simultaneously announces that he has ordered the military to be on high alert for "all possible scenarios in Gaza".

Relatives Plead

Relatives of the hostages urge the Israeli government in their own statement to "refrain from all actions that risk the signed agreement being implemented".

So far, 21 people from the hostages have been released since the ceasefire began. Israel has simultaneously released a large number of imprisoned Palestinians.

According to The Times of Israel, 73 people are still being held hostage in Gaza, including at least 34 people who the Israeli military has confirmed have died.

Facts: The Agreement

TT

The Gaza war began with the terrorist-stamped Hamas' major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The current ceasefire began on January 19 this year and is scheduled to last for six weeks.

A key part of the agreement is that Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas releases people from the hostages taken during the attack.

Israel is to release a total of around 1,900 prisoners. Exactly how many are released each time is unclear, but it is to happen simultaneously with Hamas releasing hostages.

When phase one is over, around 60 Israelis are expected to remain as hostages. The idea is that they will be released in a new phase of the ceasefire, which will also pave the way for longer-term calm in the Gaza Strip. But the circumstances for this have not yet been negotiated.

Sources: Haaretz, BBC

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Far-Right AFD Gains in German Local Elections as CDU Holds Lead

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

15 Dead in Truck Crash Involving Passenger Car in Southeastern Mexico

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Nepal's First Female Leader Sushila Karki Promises Six-Month Term

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas