The armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas will postpone the release of Israeli hostages, scheduled for Saturday, "until further notice", according to a statement by the group's spokesman on Telegram. Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, accused Israel of systematically violating the ceasefire agreement over the past three weeks.
"Over the past three weeks, the resistance leadership has been monitoring the enemy's violations and their failure to comply with the terms of the agreement," Al Jazeera quoted Abu Obeida as saying.
"These violations include delaying the return of displaced people to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and shooting in several areas of the Gaza Strip, and not allowing the entry of relief materials in all forms, as agreed. However, the resistance has fulfilled all its obligations," he added.
The spokesperson added that the decision to postpone the release of the prisoners "will remain in force until the occupying entity fulfills its previous obligations and provides retroactive compensation. We affirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation complies with them."
Israel and Hamas are in the midst of a six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas is expected to release dozens of hostages captured in the October 7, 2023 attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Since the ceasefire came into effect last month, the two sides have carried out five exchanges, freeing 21 hostages and more than 730 prisoners.
The next swap was scheduled for Saturday, with the release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
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