Palestinian militant group Hamas announced that it was postponing until further notice the next release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, claiming that Israel had failed to abide by the terms of their ceasefire agreement.
Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas' military wing, claimed that since the ceasefire took effect on January 19, Israel has delayed the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, targeted Gazans with military shelling and gunfire, and prevented aid from entering the territory.
He added that Hamas would not release any more hostages until Israel "complies and compensates for the past weeks."
More hostages were due to be released Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners, but the Hamas spokesman said no more hostages would be released until further notice.
There have been five hostage-prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas in the first phase of the current cease-fire. Three hostages were released last Saturday.
Israel says Hamas violates ceasefire, puts military on alert
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that the postponement of hostage releases by Hamas amounts to a "complete violation" of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
"Hamas' announcement to stop releasing Israeli hostages is a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal to release the hostages. I have instructed the IDF (military) to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza," Katz said in a statement.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that "all the families of the hostages were informed this evening of Hamas's announcement."
"The families were made aware that the State of Israel is committed to respecting the agreement and considers any violation of it with the utmost seriousness," it added.
Trump: Gaza ceasefire should end Saturday if hostages aren't released
US President Donald Trump said that if all the hostages held in Gaza aren't returned by midday Saturday, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas should be cancelled.
Trump said it was ultimately up to Israel. But he warned that "all hell is going to break out" if the remaining hostages aren't released, adding that he feared many were dead.
Hamas was due to release further hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
But the Palestinian militant group announced on Monday that it would pause the hostage release until further notice. It accused Israel of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
