Hamas reaffirms its commitment to the ceasefire with Israel and confirms that the planned release of hostages will proceed as scheduled.

The militant group had earlier warned of delaying the upcoming hostage-prisoner exchanges, alleging that Israel had breached the terms of their fragile ceasefire. 

Hamas fighters during a hostage handover in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza on Saturday.

Feb. 13, 2025, 5:55 PM GMT+6

Hamas announced Thursday that it will proceed with hostage releases according to the previously agreed-upon timeline as part of its ceasefire with Israel. This marks a reversal from its earlier warning that it would indefinitely delay hostage-prisoner exchanges.

The Palestinian militant group had initially threatened to suspend the swaps, accusing Israel of violating the terms of their three-week-old ceasefire. However, in a statement published on its website, Hamas said it would "continue its position of implementing the agreement as signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified schedule."

Hamas confirmed that it would continue releasing Israeli hostages this week, including three captives set to be freed on Saturday. The announcement followed discussions with mediators from Qatar and Egypt, which Hamas described as having a “positive spirit” in efforts to maintain the fragile truce.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told NBC News on Thursday that there were “positive signs of an agreement” to uphold the ceasefire. As of Thursday morning, the Israeli government had not publicly responded to Hamas’ latest statement.

Tensions have escalated over concerns that the ceasefire, which began on Jan. 29, might collapse. Hamas had accused Israel of violating the agreement by shooting at civilians, blocking humanitarian aid, and restricting Palestinians’ movement in northern Gaza. These allegations were made against a backdrop of increased rhetoric from Israeli leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Thursday’s statement from Hamas followed Trump’s warning that he would let “all hell break out” in Gaza if hostages were not released as planned, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threat to resume “intense fighting.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced Israel’s hardline stance, stating Wednesday that "the gates of hell will open upon" Hamas if further hostages were not freed.

Most Israeli captives held in Gaza were abducted during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 250 kidnappings, according to Israeli officials. Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement—set to last 42 days—Hamas has so far released 16 of 33 hostages.

Since Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza, over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, and much of the enclave’s 2.3 million population has been forcibly displaced, according to local officials.

Meanwhile, Arab leaders are increasing diplomatic efforts to prevent an escalation and counter Trump’s reported plan to relocate nearly 2 million Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt while redeveloping Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” Egypt has scheduled an emergency Arab summit for Feb. 27, following Trump’s invitation to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi for discussions at the White House.