After Saturday's exchange, where four Israeli soldiers were released in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, the situation remains tense.
Israel is again accusing Hamas of breaking the agreement, as Arbel Yehud, a civilian hostage, has not been released. Moreover, no list has been presented regarding the status of the prisoners who have not yet been released.
As a consequence, the Israeli military has announced that residents of northern Gaza will not be allowed to return to their homes – which means that tens of thousands of Palestinians are now waiting at the so-called Netzarim corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the southern part.
"Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is standing firm on the decision not to open the crossing until the issue of Arbel Yehud's return is resolved," a spokesperson announced.
Hamas, labeled as a terrorist organization, claims that Israel is thereby "obstructing the implementation of the agreement".
"The occupation power (Israel) is delaying the process with the pretext of the detained Arbel Yehud, despite the fact that the movement (Hamas) has informed the negotiators that she is alive, and they also received all necessary guarantees that she will be released," Hamas writes in a statement according to Israeli media.
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