Hamas says it will release hostages as planned

Palestinian militant group Hamas assured Thursday that it will release three Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip this weekend as planned, after accusing Israel of violating the frail ceasefire agreement and threatening a delay.

“Hamas confirms commitment to ceasefire agreement, including prisoners exchange according to specified timetable,” the militant group said in a Wednesday statement.

Hamas’s delegation spoke with Egypt’s officials, including the country’s intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, and was in touch with Qatar’s prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, regarding the need to supply the war-torn region with more fuel, medical supplies and shelter.

“Our delegation focused during the meetings and communications on the necessity of adhering to implementing all terms of the agreement, especially with regard to securing housing for our people and urgently bringing in caravans, tents, heavy equipment, medical supplies, fuel, and the continued flow of relief and everything stipulated in the agreement,” Hamas said, adding the discussions were held in “positive spirit.”

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Hamas, a designated terrorist group by the U.S., that if the hostages are not released on Saturday the ceasefire agreement, which brought a pause to more than 15 months of war, will shatter and fighting will resume. Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to gather in and around the Gaza border in preparation.

“The decision I passed in the Cabinet unanimously is as follows: If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will resume intense combat until Hamas is decisively defeated,” Netanyahu said Tuesday after meeting with his security Cabinet.

Hamas said Monday that it intended to delay the release of captives held in Gaza after accusing Israelis of violating the ceasefire terms, including allowing shelters and tents into the Strip.

President Trump warned the militant group over the weekend and again on Monday that if the group did not release the remaining hostages, the Jan. 19 ceasefire agreement would lapse early and “all hell is going to break out.”

The two groups are still in the first phase of the three-phase plan. The first phase is scheduled to last for six weeks and terms for the second chapter are yet to be hammered out.

Israel has freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners while Hamas has released 21 hostages during this agreement, including three last weekend who appeared to be in worse physical conditions than those previously released, sparking concerns among Israeli officials, including the prime minister.

The conflict was ignited after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 Israelis. The group also took more 250 people hostage.

Israel’s military responded with a bombing campaign that has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials — a tally that does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Updated at 9:26 a.m. EST

Topics

In U-turn, Hamas says it will release hostages and recommits to Gaza ceasefire

Hamas said Thursday it will release Israeli hostages on the previously agreed upon timeline as part of its fragile ceasefire with Israel.
NBC News - 49m
Hamas says it will release hostages as planned on Saturday

The next hostage-prisoner exchange is set to take place Saturday, as previously agreed in the current ceasefire deal.
ABC News - 50m
Hamas says it will release more hostages Saturday, AP reports

Hamas says it will release more Israeli hostages Saturday after threatening to delay the action, according to the Associated Press. Earlier this week, President Trump demanded that all hostages be ...
CBS News - 3h
Hamas says it will continue releasing Israeli hostages

Militant group had threatened to suspend releases after accusing Israel of breaching ceasefire agreement
Financial Times - 3h
Hamas says it will release Israeli hostages as planned

Yahoo News - 4h
Hamas accuses Israel of ceasefire violations, says it will delay next hostage release

A Hamas spokesperson says the group will delay the next hostage release after accusing Israel of violating ceasefire agreement
ABC News - 2d
Hamas says Israel violating Gaza ceasefire, next hostage release delayed

Hamas accuses Israel of systematically violating the Gaza ceasefire, and says the next hostage release will be delayed.
CBS News - 2d
Hamas suspends hostage release, says Israel is not following ceasefire agreement

Hamas said Monday it was suspending the upcoming hostage release in the Gaza Strip, blaming Israel for not following the terms of a ceasefire agreement that paused the 15-month war in the ...
NBC News - 2d
Hamas says it will postpone hostage release, blaming Israel

Yahoo News - 2d