Jerusalem: A spokesperson for Hamas announced that the group would delay the next planned hostage release, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. The exchange, originally set for the day, would have seen three Israeli hostages freed in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.  

Israel and Hamas are currently in the midst of a six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas has committed to releasing 33 hostages captured in its 7 October 2023 attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.  

Since the ceasefire took effect last month, both sides have conducted five exchanges, with 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners released.  

Hamas’ accusations against Israel  

Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, accused Israel of 'systematically violating' the ceasefire agreement over the past three weeks. He claimed that Israel had delayed allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza and targeted them with airstrikes and gunfire in various areas of the Strip. He also said that Israel had failed to facilitate the agreed-upon entry of humanitarian aid.  

According to Obeida, Israel’s continued obstruction of key provisions of the deal—particularly regarding humanitarian aid—led to Hamas’ decision to delay the scheduled release of hostages.  

Palestinian authority ends controversial stipend system 

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced the end of a contentious system that provided stipends to the families of Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted in deadly attacks on Israel.  

This move is seen as an effort to improve relations with the administration of US President Donald Trump. Both the US and Israel have criticised the so-called "martyrs fund," arguing that it incentivised violence against Israel.  

Under the new policy, prisoners' families will still be eligible for government assistance, but their financial support will now be determined based on economic need rather than the length of a prisoner’s sentence.  

There has been no immediate reaction from the US or Israel regarding this change.

AP