Hamas' military wing spokesman Abu Obeida announced Monday that the terrorist organization would delay the scheduled release of hostages, citing alleged Israeli breaches of the hostage deal. This development comes as Israel prepares to move forward with the second phase of the deal, which should be implemented after the first phase elapses later this month.
Hamas said that Israeli violations and lack of commitment to the agreement terms have been manifested in it supposedly not allowing the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, as well as IDF carrying out attacks in various areas of the Gaza Strip. It further blamed Israel for "not allowing supplies in as agreed upon – while Hamas has fulfilled all of its commitments." The terror organization said that further release of hostages would only take place once Israel remedies the "ongoing violations" of the deal.
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued a stern response, saying "Hamas' announcement of a halt to the release of Israeli hostages constitutes a complete violation of both the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal." He further warned that Israel was prepared with contingencies. "I have directed the IDF to maintain the highest state of readiness for any possible scenario in Gaza and for the defense of our communities. We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7."
An Israeli source closely involved in the negotiations told Israel Hayom the "the mediating parties must now prove they are truly doing their job. Hamas is violating the agreement, its claims are unfounded, and it continues to act contrary to the understandings. If they don't release the hostages as agreed, there will clearly be far-reaching consequences."
Earlier on Monday In an exclusive report, Israel Hayom learned that when government ministers approved the first phase of the hostage agreement, they had effectively authorized key elements of Phase Two. According to multiple ministers, the agreement contains provisions for a comprehensive IDF withdrawal from Gaza after day 42, maintaining only a 2,297-foot security perimeter. The plan also reportedly includes a complete pullback from the strategic Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border by day 50, contrary to statements from the Prime Minister's office.
The revelations extend to the proposed prisoner exchanges, with ministers disclosing that the agreement would ultimately result in the release of all approximately 360 Palestinian prisoners currently serving life sentences in Israeli facilities. This unprecedented scope would include those convicted of the most serious terrorism offenses, with an increased ratio of prisoners, exchanged for each person Hamas categorizes as a soldier.
These developments unfold as Israeli negotiators returned early Monday from talks in Doha. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has scheduled a Diplomatic-Security Cabinet meeting for Tuesday to discuss the ongoing negotiations, amid growing scrutiny of the deal's implications for Israel's security objectives and military positioning in Gaza.
Over the weekend, Israel blamed Hamas for mistreating hostages after the three latest captives freed under the deal appeared pale and emaciated because of what appears to be undernourishment and starvation during their more than 490 days of captivity, with the Prime Minister's Office warning that Israel "would not let this slide."
So far, 16 hostages have been released out of the 33 who were scheduled to be released in Phase One. According to current assessments, some of the 17 hostages meant to be released in Phase Two are no longer alive.
