A fragile ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip has teetered on the brink of collapse, prompting skepticism about its future. However, according to a senior Hamas official, the group is set to resume releasing Israeli hostages this weekend as planned, provided Israel upholds its end of the deal.
Mahmoud Mardawi, a Hamas official, said in a text message that the hostage-for-prisoner exchange was scheduled for Saturday. He cited assurances from mediators that Israel had committed to the agreement.
The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aims to end over a year of devastating war between Israel and Hamas. Under the deal, at least 33 Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners.
However, tensions have risen, with Hamas accusing Israel of violating the truce’s terms, including restricting entry of prefabricated housing units and heavy machinery to Gaza. The Israeli government has denied these allegations, claiming that deliveries are not being halted due to security concerns.
Despite the stalemate, humanitarian aid is slowly reaching Gaza, with at least 801 trucks entering the territory on Wednesday. However, aid agencies warn that deliveries need to increase to address the dire needs of the population.
The fragile ceasefire’s future remains uncertain, with Israel and Hamas yet to agree on terms for an extension. The war in Gaza has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths and 1,200 hostages being taken by Israeli forces.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-ceasefire-hostages.html