Spokesperson of Hamas’s armed wing, Abu Obeida has issued a statement on Telegram saying that the group will delay the release of more Israeli captives planned for Saturday, February 15, 2025, “until further notice.”
He said that over the past three weeks, the “resistance leadership monitored the enemy’s violations and their non-compliance with the terms of the agreement.”
“These violations include delaying the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire in various areas of the Gaza Strip, and failing to allow the entry of relief materials in all forms as agreed upon. Meanwhile, the resistance has fulfilled all its obligations.”
Abu Obeida
The Qassam Brigades spokesperson added that the decision to delay the release of captives will “remain in place until the occupying entity complies with past obligations and compensates retroactively.” He stressed, “We affirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation adheres to them.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz blamed Hamas for violating the Gaza truce after the Palestinian group announced that it is halting the release of captives because of Israeli violations. “I have instructed military to prepare at the highest level of readiness in Gaza and to defend our communities,” Katz said.
He added that Hamas’ announcement that it will stop releasing hostages is a “complete violation of the ceasefire deal.”
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s former security minister known for his incendiary remarks against Palestinians, also responded to Hamas’s announcement of delaying the release of captives.
“Hamas’s announcement should have one real-life response: a massive fire attack on Gaza from the air and land, alongside a complete halt to humanitarian aid to the Strip, including electricity, fuel, and water, and including the bombing of aid packages that have already been brought in and are in Hamas’s hands in Gaza. We must return to war and destroy.”
Itamar Ben-Gvir
The Prime Minister’s coordinator for hostages said all of the hostage families had been updated about Hamas’ announcement and that Israel “insists on fulfilling the agreement in its entirety.”
Mediating Countries Urged To Restore Hostage Release Deal
The Hostages and Missing Family Forum, which represents many of the hostage families, called on mediating countries to restore the existing deal.
The forum said that recent evidence from those released, as well as the shocking conditions of the hostages released last Saturday, “leaves no room for doubt — time is of the essence, and all hostages must be urgently rescued from this horrific situation.”
“We stand with the Israeli government and encourage maintaining the conditions that will ensure the successful continuation of the agreement, leading to the safe return of our 76 brothers and sisters.”
Hostages and Missing Family Forum
The mother of one captive, Einav Tsengauker, was quoted by Israel’s army radio as saying, that Hamas’s announcement is a direct result of Netanyahu’s “reckless behaviour.” “The deliberate foot-dragging, the lack of a mandate for the delegation, and the unnecessary boasting sabotage the agreement,” she added.
Meanwhile, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman of the UN Secretary-General, responded to Hamas’s suspension of releasing Israeli captives.
“We want to make sure that all parties are committed to their declared responsibilities under the ceasefire and it is very important that they adhere to all relevant aspects of the agreement and all relevant timetables.
“It is clear that if there is any delay in any aspect of the agreement, it will be a problem. We want to make sure that there are no delays and that the full implementation of the agreement is carried out as planned in advance.”
Farhan Haq
Mediators fear a breakdown of the Gaza truce agreement after Hamas said Israel wasn’t serious about executing the deal and announced it would stop releasing captives until further notice.
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