Hamas not to release hostages 'if Israel fails to honor ceasefire deal'

Hamas has responded to threats voiced by US President Donald Trump by saying that it will not release the remaining hostages if Israel doesn’t comply with the terms of the ceasefire in the enclave, the Al Arabiya television quoted a Hamas statement, reported from TASS.

"The language of threats only complicates matters and is simply inappropriate," Hamas said, commenting on Trump’s remarks that "all hell is going to break out" if the Palestinian movement fails to release Israeli hostages on February 15.

"Hamas reaffirms its commitment to the Gaza agreement. Compliance with the deal is the only way to release hostages," the movement added.

Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, said on Monday the movement had postponed the release of a new group of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, who were to return home on February 15, due to Israel's violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas believes that Israel violated terms of the deal when it "delayed the return of displaced Palestinians from Gaza's south to the north, targeted them with airstrikes and gunfire, and failed to facilitate the entry of all types of humanitarian cargo in sufficient quantities, as agreed." At the same time, Abu Ubaida said the radicals have "fully complied with their obligations" under the deal and "will adhere to the agreement as long as the opposite party does the same."

Previously, Trump demanded that Hamas release all hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip by Saturday noon, or "all hell is going to break out." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late on February 11 that the Israel Defense Forces will resume its military operation in the enclave if hostages are not released within the specified timeframe.