The Gaza ceasefire deal is on the verge of collapse after Israel vowed to return to war if Hamas does not release more Israeli captives on Saturday. But why has the Palestinian group threatened to delay the releases?
According to Hamas, several violations by Tel Aviv are casting shadows over the agreement.
These include military incursions, gunfire, airstrikes, intensified surveillance, aid obstruction and abuses of Palestinian detainees’ rights.
The three-phase ceasefire deal has been in place in Gaza since January 19, halting Israel’s genocidal war that has killed more than 48,200 people and left the enclave in ruins.
In phase one of the truce, which runs until early March, 33 Israeli hostages are to be released in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners. The sixth Israeli-Hamas swap was scheduled for this weekend.
Military violations
Israeli military vehicles are reported to have crossed the agreed withdrawal lines along the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Rafah.
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Israeli warplanes and surveillance drones have flown over Gaza, despite designated no-fly periods established under the deal.
The Israeli military conducted 29 incursions, mostly in Rafah’s border areas. Nine incidents of shelling and direct targeting were also reported, hitting residential areas and public facilities.
Palestinian prisoners
The most notable violations included a six-hour unjustified delay in releasing detainees from the third batch, as well as cases of physical assault.
Some prisoners were transferred to Gaza without their consent or prior coordination, a practice that has occurred multiple times.
Further violations included delays in providing the list of 400 prisoners scheduled for release.
Obstruction of humanitarian aid
Israeli authorities limited the entry of fuel trucks to fewer than 25 per day, despite the agreement allowing for 50. Fuel imports were also blocked, and supplies for civil defense teams and municipalities were withheld.
Out of 200,000 agreed-upon tents, only 53,147 have entered Gaza, and no prefabricated shelters have been allowed in.
Israel has also placed restrictions on Turkish humanitarian aid, prohibiting trucks from entering Gaza unless they removed labels featuring the Turkish flag.
Additional restrictions
Israel kept Al-Rashid Street closed beyond the agreed deadline, preventing the operation of Gaza’s power plant, and blocking the entry of maintenance equipment.
Other restrictions include barring livestock and animal feed entry.
Israel has obstructed cash transfers to banks and refused to replace worn-out banknotes.
Israeli statements on displacement of Gazans
Israeli political figures have continued making statements advocating for the displacement of Gazans, reflecting a lack of commitment to the ceasefire.
The Israeli government has delayed implementing the agreement’s second phase by imposing unrealistic conditions.
“Despite international pressure on Israel to uphold its commitments, the current situation suggests it is imposing new conditions,” the source added.
Israeli response
Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas does not release more hostages by noon on Saturday, endorsing a threat by Donald Trump that could shatter the three-week-old ceasefire between the two sides.
Netanyahu’s ultimatum was delivered during a video address posted to social media account on Tuesday. “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” he said.
