Hamas says it is prepared to continue releasing hostages if Israel also respects the ceasefire in Gaza. The statement came when it seemed that another round of releases, planned for Saturday, might not happen.
This Saturday, Hamas is set to release three more Israeli hostages.
The breakthrough is said to have come thanks to mediators from Egypt and Qatar. “We are prepared to implement (the agreement) and force the occupier (Israel) to comply with it fully,” Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou responded.
“The mediators urge (…) that the process of exchanging hostages in Gaza for Palestinians held by Israel resume on Saturday.” The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been under severe strain since Hamas announced on Monday that the release of hostages would be postponed indefinitely.
For Israel, the release of Israeli hostages is essential for the continuation of the ceasefire. Hamas threatened to suspend them because, according to them, Israel is not adhering to the agreements of the truce, including the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on January 19. As part of this, 16 Israeli hostages have been released so far. Last Saturday, Hamas released 3 Israeli hostages, and next Saturday, another 3 Israeli hostages are expected to be released. Israel has not yet responded to the news.
