Hamas announces a halt to the release of hostages from Gaza "until further notice"

On Monday, Hamas threatened to delay any further hostage-prisoner exchanges, stating that Israel needed to fulfill its "obligations" under the fragile Gaza ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel said its military was preparing for "any possible scenario."

Hamas later clarified that the "door remains open" for the exchange to proceed as originally planned, urging mediators to intervene.

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, largely ended over 15 months of conflict in Gaza and resulted in the release of five groups of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli custody.

A Hamas spokesperson confirmed that the next scheduled hostage release, set for February 15, 2025, would be postponed "until further notice." They stated that the resumption of exchanges depends on Israel’s compliance with its past obligations under the ceasefire.

Hamas accuses Israel of failing to honor its commitments, particularly after three Gazans were killed on Sunday, which they view as a violation of the truce.

The statements came as negotiators were set to meet in Qatar to discuss the implementation of the first 42-day phase of the truce and potential subsequent phases. Talks on a second phase were originally intended to start on the 16th day of the truce, but Israel refused to send its negotiators to Doha.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned Hamas’s announcement, calling it a "complete violation" of the ceasefire, and ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to prepare for any possible escalation in Gaza.

Tensions have been heightened following a proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump to take control of the Gaza Strip and displace its residents, which has been widely criticized by the international community. 

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 48,000 people in Gaza reported dead. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with images of emaciated hostages and prisoners being released, reflecting the harsh conditions they endured.