His warning follows Hamas’ decision to delay the next planned release of Israeli hostages, threatening the fragile truce that had been seen as a potential step toward winding down the war. The move has sparked alarm among Israelis, particularly after the harrowing images of three emaciated men released by Hamas over the weekend.
ASLO READ: Trump warns ‘all hell’ will break loose if Gaza hostages not returnedOf the 17 hostages still due to be freed under the current phase of the ceasefire, Israel has confirmed that eight are dead. The next handover of three hostages had been scheduled for Saturday, but families fear time is running out for those still held captive.
In response to Hamas’ announcement, Israel’s security Cabinet convened an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning to determine its next course of action.This phase of the truce, initially planned to last six weeks, was already fraught with concerns that the conflict would resume once the first phase concludes in early March. The current deadlock has made further negotiations even more precarious.
Hamas has accused Israel of failing to uphold its commitments, pointing to delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, continued Israeli strikes, and obstacles to humanitarian aid. In response, Hamas declared it would postpone the next hostage release “until further notice.”
At the heart of the impasse is the planned Saturday release of three more Israeli hostages, along with a corresponding release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.
So far, five hostage exchanges have taken place under the ceasefire, allowing for a gradual release of 33 Israeli hostages. Each exchange has been fraught with tension, but the latest release has underscored the grim conditions in which hostages are being held.
ALSO READ: Former diplomat slams Trump’s ‘obnoxious’ Gaza plan
