JERUSALEM — A Hamas spokesperson mentioned Monday the group will delay the subsequent deliberate launch of hostages within the Gaza Strip after accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire settlement.
The announcement was the primary main disaster for the delicate ceasefire. It got here at a delicate time, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu beneath heavy stress to deliver residence hostages after final Saturday’s launch, through which three Israelis got here residence emaciated after 16 months in Hamas captivity.
Additionally on Monday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ended a controversial system that paid stipends to the households of Palestinian prisoners, together with these convicted in lethal assaults on Israel. The step is geared toward bettering relations with the brand new administration of President Donald Trump. The U.S., together with Israel, has mentioned the so-called “martyrs fund” rewarded violence in opposition to Israel.
Israel and Hamas are within the midst of a six-week ceasefire throughout which Hamas has dedicated to releasing 33 hostages captured in its Oct. 7, 2023, assault in change for practically 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The edges have carried out 5 swaps because the ceasefire went into impact final month, liberating 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners. The subsequent change, scheduled for Saturday, referred to as for 3 extra Israeli hostages to be freed in change for a whole lot of Palestinian prisoners.
Protection Minister Israel Katz mentioned Hamas’ plan do delay the subsequent launch of hostages was “a whole violation” of the ceasefire settlement and that he instructed the Israeli army to be on the very best degree of alert. Netanyahu didn’t instantly remark.
Obeida mentioned Israel has continued to hinder key provisions of the deal, particularly concerning humanitarian assist.
“The resistance management has intently monitored the enemy’s violations and its failure to uphold the phrases of the settlement,” Obeida mentioned. He mentioned Israel had violated the phrases of the ceasefire by not permitting Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, finishing up strikes throughout the Gaza Strip, and failing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian assist.
The Hostages and Lacking Household Discussion board, which represents lots of the hostage households, referred to as on mediating international locations to revive the prevailing deal.
“Current proof from these launched, in addition to the surprising circumstances of the hostages launched final Saturday, leaves no room for doubt — time is of the essence, and all hostages should be urgently rescued from this horrific scenario,” the Discussion board mentioned.
Beneath the brand new system introduced by Abbas, the Palestinian president, prisoners’ households will nonetheless be eligible for presidency help, however solely relying on their monetary wants. Beforehand, funds have been decided based mostly on the period of time a prisoner had spent in jail.
The system can even be transferred from the Palestinian authorities to an outdoor basis.
There was no rapid response from the U.S. or Israel.
Throughout Trump’s first time period, the U.S. halted help to the Palestinian Authority due to the martyr’s fund, whereas Israel has withheld a whole lot of thousands and thousands of {dollars} of tax transfers to the cash-strapped authority due to the coverage.
A senior Palestinian official mentioned the Palestinians have knowledgeable the Trump administration of the choice and hope the U.S. laws reducing help, generally known as the Taylor Power Act, can be rescinded and that Israel will unfreeze the transfers. He spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he was discussing inside deliberations.
