Hamas says it will release Israeli captives as planned under Gaza ceasefire deal

ANKARA

Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Thursday it is ready to resume the next hostage release on Saturday if Israel adheres to the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

“The (Israeli) occupation has violated the agreement multiple times, whether by preventing the return of displaced people or blocking the entry of humanitarian aid,” Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanoua told Anadolu.

“If Israel does not adhere to the terms of the agreement, the prisoner exchange process will not take place,” he added.

Hamas said early Thursday that it will release Israeli captives as planned under the Gaza ceasefire deal.

In a statement, the group said the move came after talks with mediators Egypt and Qatar who pledged to work to “remove obstacles and fill gaps.”

Hamas will continue to implement the Gaza agreement “according to what was signed, including exchanging prisoners according to the specified timetable,” it added.

The Palestinian group said Monday that it would delay the next hostage release in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Local Palestinian authorities have listed a series of Israeli violations of the deal, including the shooting of civilians and denying access to relief materials, including tents and caravans for displaced civilians in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened the following day to end the Gaza ceasefire deal if Hamas failed to release captives by Saturday noon.

Qanoua said there are “positive signs” regarding Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement.

“Hamas is committed to what has been reached, but will not accept any Israeli violations that may disrupt the exchange process,” he added.

Hamas said a group delegation led by its leader in Gaza Khalil al-Hayya held talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

“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.”

“The talks were characterized by a positive spirit, and the mediators Egypt and Qatar stressed the need to follow up on all of this to remove obstacles and fill gaps."

Israeli denial

Egypt’s Al-Qahera News channel, citing an unnamed Egyptian official, said mediation efforts by Cairo and Doha “managed to successfully overcome obstacles hindering the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, with both Hamas and Israel committed to completing the deal.”

Netanyahu’s office, however, denied any understanding with Hamas in Gaza.

"No understandings have been reached so far regarding a resolution to the crisis with Hamas, and reports on this matter are false news," it said in a statement.

Netanyahu’s spokesman Omer Dostri also denied any agreement to allow mobile homes into Gaza.

"As we have clarified multiple times: Caravans (mobile homes) and heavy equipment will not be allowed into the Gaza Strip, and there is no coordination on this matter,” he said on X.

"According to the agreement, no goods will be allowed into Gaza through the Rafah crossing."

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement has been in place in Gaza since Jan. 19, halting the Israeli war that has killed more than 48,200 people, mostly women and children, and left the Palestinian enclave in ruins.

Sixteen Israelis and five Thai workers have so far been released by Hamas in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails under the first phase of the agreement.