Welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East.
On Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli hostages. However, Israel has halted the release of over 600 Palestinians, which puts the fragile ceasefire at risk. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the indefinite delay, criticizing Hamas for using hostages for propaganda. He stated, “The release of prisoners planned for Saturday will be postponed until we can ensure the safe release of additional hostages.”
In response, a Hamas official, Basem Naim, declared that the group will not negotiate further steps in the ceasefire unless Palestinian prisoners are released as previously agreed. With tensions rising, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is ready to continue fighting if necessary, stating, “We are prepared to resume intense fighting at any moment.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has deployed tanks in the occupied West Bank for the first time in 20 years, conducting operations in places like Hebron and Qabatiya. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that military operations will continue in urban areas for the next year, affecting about 40,000 displaced individuals who cannot return home.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is set to meet European officials in Brussels today. He will co-chair a session of the EU-Israel Association Council with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. They’re expected to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza amidst ongoing conflicts.
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The White House voiced support for Israel’s decision to delay the release of the Palestinian prisoners due to the treatment of Israeli hostages by Hamas. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes called this delay an “appropriate response.”
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US envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to the Middle East this week to work on extending the current truce, hoping to secure the release of more hostages as the first phase of a three-phase agreement approaches its end.
