By Anat Peled and Summer Said
Hamas said it would postpone this week’s release of Israeli hostages due to disputes over security and humanitarian goods, the most serious challenge yet to a fragile cease-fire under which another 17 Israeli hostages or their bodies are to be returned to Israel over the coming weeks.
The surprise declaration Monday comes as families of Israeli hostages have been anxiously pressing negotiators to keep the deal going so that all the captives can come home.
The next three hostages were expected to be released this Saturday. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said the handover would be postponed indefinitely and accused Israel of repeatedly violating the cease-fire deal.
“These violations include delays in the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire across various parts of the region, and not allowing the entry of relief materials in all agreed forms,” Abu Obeida said. “The handover of the Zionist prisoners who were scheduled to be released on Saturday will be postponed until further notice.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called Hamas’ announcement a “complete violation of the cease-fire and hostage-exchange agreement.”
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