Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Thursday, despite uncertainty over the release of three hostages and continued disputes over humanitarian aid deliveries.
The fragile 42-day ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., has faced repeated setbacks, with both Hamas and Israel accusing each other of violating the terms. However, Hamas signaled it was prepared to proceed with the agreement, dismissing what it called “threats and intimidation” from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Hamas reaffirms its commitment to implementing the agreement as signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timeline,” the group said in a statement.
Hamas’ Gaza leader Khalil Al-Hayya is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials, while mediators continue efforts to resolve outstanding issues.
Hostage Release Tied to Aid Dispute
One of the main points of contention remains humanitarian aid. Hamas has accused Israel of failing to meet commitments on increasing deliveries and has refused to release three hostages scheduled for handover on Saturday until the issue is resolved.
In response, Netanyahu ordered the mobilization of reserve forces and warned that Israel could resume military operations if Hamas failed to comply.
Israeli minister Avi Dichter, a member of Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said Hamas could not afford to back out of the agreement. “There’s a deal—they won’t be able to give anything less than what is in the deal,” he told Israeli public radio.
Egyptian officials said they expected heavy construction equipment to enter Gaza on Thursday, which could pave the way for the release of the hostages as planned.
Ceasefire at Risk Amid Regional Tensions
The ceasefire agreement, aimed at preventing a wider regional war, has remained in jeopardy as both sides trade blame. While mediators push for de-escalation, Israeli forces have continued to limit the entry of mobile homes, tents, and other critical supplies.
Hamas official Salama Marouf stated that only 73,000 of the 200,000 required tents had arrived, and no mobile homes had been permitted. Israel’s military agency overseeing aid, COGAT, countered the claim, saying that 400,000 tents had been allowed in but that mobile home shipments had yet to be sent by the designated suppliers.
Despite these disputes, international aid groups confirm that supplies are arriving—albeit insufficiently. “We have seen some improvement, but the response remains far below what is needed,” said Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Trump’s Gaza Comments Spark Backlash
Adding to tensions, Trump’s recent suggestion that Palestinians be relocated from Gaza to allow for waterfront development under U.S. control has drawn sharp criticism across the Arab world, complicating ongoing mediation efforts.
Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas has released 16 Israeli hostages from an initial group of 33, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, five Thai hostages were freed in an unplanned release.
However, negotiations on a second phase—meant to secure the release of remaining hostages and an Israeli military withdrawal—have stalled. An Israeli delegation returned from Doha on Monday, cutting talks short.
In Israel, growing frustration over the ceasefire’s uncertain future has sparked protests, with thousands calling on the government to uphold the deal and secure the remaining hostages’ return.
The war erupted on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed at least 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a devastating offensive that has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.
