The sides have carried out five swaps since the ceasefire went into effect last month, freeing 21 hostages and over 730 prisoners. The next exchange was scheduled for Saturday, releasing three Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
A Hamas spokesman on Monday accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement with the group, including targeting Palestinians in Gaza with airstrikes, and said that next Saturday’s hostage release would be delayed. A Hamas spokesperson said Monday that the group will delay the next hostage release after accusing Israel of violating ceasefire agreement.
He outlined the violations Hamas claims have occurred since the deal took effect, including restrictions on displaced Palestinians returning to northern Gaza, Israeli shelling in various areas and a failure to deliver humanitarian aid as agreed. "Meanwhile, the resistance has upheld all of its commitments," he added.