Media allowed Hamas to refuse to release hostages because of Israel's actions

The Palestinian movement Hamas may renege on its commitment to release an additional group of hostages on Thursday, January 30, if Israel continues to obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Al Arabiya TV reported on January 29, citing a source.

"We warn that continued delays and failure to fulfill these points (delivery of key aid) will affect the course of the agreement, including the exchange of prisoners," the agency quoted a senior Hamas official as saying.

It is noted that since the ceasefire was imposed on January 19, materials for the reconstruction of hospitals, tents and heavy machinery and other equipment have not been brought into the Gaza Strip.

Contributing to the freeze: how the truce between Israel and Hamas will work and how long it will last

On the first day of the deal, the Palestinian movement freed three hostages

Earlier, on January 19, the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian radical movement Hamas came into effect. During the first phase of the 42-day deal, 33 Israeli hostages and some 1,900 Palestinians are to be released. On the same day, the movement released three hostages in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, and on January 26, four military girls were handed over to the Red Cross.

On January 27, Hamas Politburo Deputy Chairman Musa Abu Marzouk announced the organization's readiness to engage in dialogue with U.S. authorities.

The agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza became known on January 15. The next day, the Defense Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces began preparations for the implementation of the agreements, which the Israeli government approved on January 17 following a six-hour meeting.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. On the same day, Israel began to launch retaliatory strikes.