Gaza (Web Desk): Hamas on Thursday announced that it would resume releasing hostages according to the original timetable outlined in the cease-fire agreement with Israel, following a brief suspension three days prior. The suspension had sparked a crisis when Hamas accused Israel of breaching the terms of the deal.
The breakthrough came after mediators from Egypt and Qatar, meeting in Cairo, pledged to do whatever was necessary to resolve the impasse and address the concerns of both parties, as reported by Hamas.
In a statement, Hamas confirmed its commitment to "implement the deal according to what was signed," which includes the scheduled release of prisoners.
The statement further reiterated Hamas' concerns regarding the agreement's provisions on humanitarian aid to Gaza.
These concerns focused particularly on the delivery of essential supplies, such as shelter equipment, including caravans, tents, heavy machinery, as well as medicine and fuel.
Israel, which had warned on Wednesday that it would resume "intense fighting" and work toward the "decisive defeat" of Hamas if hostages were not released by Saturday, has not officially responded.
However, the Times of Israel reported that Israel had communicated through Egyptian and Qatari mediators that it would adhere to the cease-fire agreement as long as Hamas freed three more hostages by Saturday, in line with the previously agreed-upon schedule.
Since the cease-fire began on January 19, 21 hostages, including five Thai nationals, have been freed in five separate releases in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians.
The deal, brokered with the help of then-President-elect Donald Trump, includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages during the first 42-day phase of the agreement, which is set to end in roughly three weeks before transitioning to a second phase that remains undefined.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington last week for talks with Trump about the second phase.
However, the visit caused uncertainty when Trump suggested that the United States should take control of Gaza and remove Palestinians to pave the way for reconstruction.
Trump once again weighed in on the matter Tuesday, after Hamas announced it would halt the release of hostages, urging Israel to end the cease-fire agreement with Hamas and "let all hell break out" unless all remaining hostages were freed by Saturday.
As of now, two children, a woman, and 14 men remain to be freed before the first phase concludes on the morning of March 2.
