Hamas releases hostages that will be released on Saturday

Previously, the Palestinian militant group accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement and postponed the announcement of the names of the three Israelis until the end of the time of 16h (local time). It was not immediately clear if the delay would affect the scheduled exchange for Saturday.

Hamas accused Israel of delaying the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying food and other humanitarian supplies, according to the truce agreement that came into force on January 19, and to retain almost all the stalls and mobile houses needed to provide shelter to people who returned to their bombarded homes.

“This demonstrates a clear manipulation of help and shelter priorities,” Hamas said in a statement.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency that supervises Gaza’s help deliveries, denied the accusation and warned that Israel “would not tolerate Hamas violations.”

The dispute further raises the uncertainty around the ceasefire that had already increased after the announcement of US President Donald Trump this week that he expects Gaza to be controlled by the United States.

Trump said on Tuesday he wants to transfer the population of Gaza to a third country, such as Egypt or Jordan, and place the small coastal enclave under US control to be turned into the “Middle East Riviera.”