Hamas suspends liberation from hostages after Israel’s violations at the ceasefire

Hamas announced on Monday that it will suspend the release of Israeli hostages “until second order”, claiming that Israel has not complied with the terms of the ceasefire in force since January 19.

The decision led the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to convene emergency meeting of the security office, while the Israeli far right intensifies the pressures by the end of the truce and the resumption of the offensive in Gaza.

Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said that Israel imposed restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and attacked Palestinians trying to return north of the enclave.

“The release of the prisoners, who was scheduled for next Saturday (15), will be postponed until the occupation fulfills its obligations,” said Obeida.

“The liberation of prisoners, who was scheduled for next Saturday, February 15, 2025, will be postponed until a new notice, pending the fulfillment of the occupation and retroactive fulfillment of last weeks obligations,” said Obeida.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement, provided that the occupation fulfills them,” added the spokesman for the armed arm of Hamas, the al-Qassam brigades.

Ubaida also mentioned “delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return north of Gaza, shot them with air attacks and shots in various areas of the track, and failing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid as agreed”.

Later, Hamas said “the door is still open” for the exchange to happen on Saturday – if Israel “fulfills”, according to the AFP news agency.

Israel reacted militarily, raising the alert of his strength and moving troops to strategic positions in the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Israel Katz has classified Hamas’s measure as a “direct violation” of the agreement and stated that Israel’s defense forces (IDF) will be ready for any scenario.

“We will not return to the reality of October 7,” Katz said, referring to the Hamas attack that began the conflict.

Trump intervenes and Israeli extreme right reinforces pressure for the resumption of war

Hours after Hamas’s announcement, US President Donald Trump made a threatening statement that puts the Palestinian people in risk. Trump stated that if all hostages are not released until noon on Saturday, “all hell will be triggered” over the enclave.

In recent weeks, Trump has argued that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip and that Palestinians are relocated to Jordan and Egypt as part of a “reconstruction” plan. The proposal of a “Middle East Riviera” received strong criticism from the international community that lit the warning to a possible ethnic cleansing perpetrated by Trump.

Leaders from countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia categorically rejected the proposal, denouncing it as an attempt to displace the Palestinian population, which would violate international law.

The Israeli far right celebrated Trump’s statements and again demanded that Netanyahu resume the military offensive.

The Israeli far right celebrated Trump’s statements and again demanded that Netanyahu resume the military offensive. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “We have to issue an ultimatum to Hamas. Cut electricity and water, interrupt humanitarian aid. Open the gates of hell ”.

Itamar Ben Gvir, who left the government in protest against the truce, said: “Trump is right. We need to resume the destruction of Hamas now. ”

The crisis intensifies within the Israeli government itself. Netanyahu faces strong pressure from the far right to break the ceasefire, but also from hostage relatives who require negotiations to continue. Protests occurred in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Monday night, with thousands of people asking the Israeli government to maintain the agreement and guarantee the release of the remaining hostages.

So far, 16 of the 33 Israeli hostages expected to be released in the first phase of the agreement have been released, as well as five Thai workers who were in captivity. In return, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Risk of collapse of ceasefire and humanitarian impact

UN and mediators like Qatar and Egypt try to avoid the collapse of the ceasefire, but the situation remains unstable. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for both parties to respect the agreement, warning of a humanitarian catastrophe if the war is resumed.

The crisis also exposes Netanyahu’s hesitation to go to the second phase of the agreement, which could prolong the truce. The Israeli far right rejects this possibility and pressures for a definitive military solution against Hamas, placing Netanyahu in a political dilemma.

Next week will be decisive to define the direction of ceasefire and negotiations for the release of hostages. Meanwhile, Gaza continues to face a serious humanitarian crisis, with thousands of displaced people and scarcity of essential resources.