Hamas plans release of Israeli hostages after a dispute over ceasefire

Hamas plans release of Israeli hostages after a dispute over ceasefire

Hamas has announced that it will release Israeli hostages as planned after she has had "positive" conversations with intermediaries. This was done after a dispute with Israel on the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

hostage and ceasefire negotiations

The militant group had postponed the release of further hostages for this weekend and accused Israel of violating unstable ceasefire. In response, Israel warned that it will return to the fights.

positive conversations with intermediaries

After discussions with the key powers Egypt and Qatar, Hamas explained that the planned free attribution - which will also include the exchange of Palestinian prisoners - will take place. "The Hamas confirms its still valid position on the implementation of the agreement in accordance with the signing, which includes the exchange of prisoners according to the set schedule," it said in a explanation of the group.

reactions to the developments

"The conversations were shaped by a positive spirit," added the explanation, emphasizing that Egypt and Qatar had agreed to "remove obstacles and close gaps." Israel has not yet responded to the explanation of Hamas.

uncertainty about the progress of the agreement

It remains unclear whether the announcements of Hamas are sufficient to end the dispute with Israel. Disruptions in the negotiations would have endangered the first rest phase in the fight for over a year, and the next steps in the ceasefire are still pending.

US position and Israeli reactions

President Donald Trump has proposed to fully reject the multi-level approach of the agreement and to put the Hamas an ultimatum for the release of all hostages at once. Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed Trump's claim, but did not expressly agree. Instead, he expressed that Hamas had to "bring back the hostage until Saturday afternoon" - without naming a precise number - or the military actions "are intensified until Hamas is completely defeated."

Current status of the hostage -taking

further demands from Hamas

In her explanation on Thursday, Hamas announced that the intermediaries had guaranteed to continue to pursue their demands on Israel so that aid goods, medical equipment and fuel could get into the country. In addition, the brokers confirmed that they would work to remove the obstacles to continue the ceasefire.