JERUSALEM, Feb 10 (Reuters) – Palestinian militant group Hamas announced on Monday it would stop releasing Israeli hostages until further notice over what it said were Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
In reply, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement with its announcement and said that he had instructed the military to prepare at the highest level of readiness in Gaza and to defend Israeli communities.
Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, said that since the ceasefire came into effect on January 19, Israel had delayed allowing displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, targeted Gazans with military shelling and gunfire and had stopped relief materials entering the territory.
An Israeli military vehicle stands at its position, on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Israel February 9, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
The ceasefire has largely held over the past three weeks, although there have been some incidents where Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire. The flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza has increased since the ceasefire, aid agencies say.
Ubaida said Hamas would not release any more hostages until Israel “complies and compensates for the past weeks”.
Another exchange was scheduled to take place on Saturday.
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Reporting by James Mackenzie and Emily Rose in Jerusalem, and Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in Cairo
Editing by Bernadette Baum and Ros Russell
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Suggested Topics:Middle EastIsrael and Hamas at War
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