Hamas suspends release of Israeli hostages over Israel's 'violation' of ceasefire deal

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The Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas looks to have become even more fragile as Hamas intends to postpone the release of Israeli hostages who were expected to return home on Saturday.

Cha Yun-kyung has the latest.

The military spokesman for Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced on Monday that the release of the Israeli hostages, this coming Saturday, will be postponed until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the terms of Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Obeida said Israel has been delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, targeting Gaza with shelling and gunfire, and not allowing relief supplies of all kinds to enter as agreed upon.

Israel has refuted the claims, and instead, according to the Times of Israel, blames the militant group for violating the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also announced on Monday that he had instructed his military to "prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza."

In response, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said it "stands with the Israeli government and encourages maintaining the conditions that will ensure the safe return of seventy-six brothers and sisters."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also moved up a political-security cabinet meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday evening, after the Hamas announcement.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, local time, urged Israel to cancel its ceasefire deal with Hamas and "let all hell break out" if Hamas does not return hostages held in Gaza by noon on Saturday.

In a wide-ranging session with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he wanted the hostages released at once, instead of a few at a time.

The three-phase ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has been in place in Gaza since last month, however, tensions are escalating as both sides are accusing each other of the violation of agreement.

Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.