Kochi: US has warned Hamas over its alleged reluctance in releasing Israeli hostages as scheduled while Hamas has blamed Israel for violating the ceasefire deal, BBC reports said.
Three hostages held in Gaza are due to be freed on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
Israel said Hamas’ announcement a “complete violation of the ceasefire agreement”.
Israeli ally US warned to cancel the ceasefire if “all” the hostages held in Gaza are not returned by Saturday.
If hostages were not released, “All hell is going to break out,” US President Trump warned.
Seventy six Israelis are still under Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces have been alerted to “prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the communities”.
UN has cautioned against violatiion of the fragile ceasefire deal. Hamas has accused Israel of delaying the return of displaced Palestinians…
Since the ceasefire began on 19 January, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released in exchange for 566 prisoners.
By the end of the first stage of the ceasefire in three weeks’ time, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to have been freed. Israel says eight of the 33 are dead.
Hamas took 251 hostages and killed about 1,200 people in its attack in October 2023. Israel’s retaliation killed at least 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, the reports said.
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