Hamas to proceed with Gaza cease-fire, hostage release despite aid disputes

Hamas announced Thursday that it remains committed to the Gaza cease-fire agreement, signaling that a recent crisis threatening the truce could be avoided.

The group confirmed that it would proceed with the scheduled release of Israeli hostages on Saturday, despite ongoing disputes over aid deliveries and allegations of violations.

The 42-day cease-fire, brokered with the help of Egyptian and Qatari mediators and supported by the United States, has faced mounting challenges in recent days. Both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of failing to uphold key terms of the agreement.

Hamas reaffirms commitment to hostage exchange

In a statement, Hamas said it does not want the deal to collapse but rejected what it described as the “language of threats and intimidation” from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that the cease-fire should be scrapped if hostages were not released.

“Accordingly, Hamas reaffirms its commitment to implementing the agreement as signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timeline,” the statement read.

The group confirmed that Egyptian and Qatari mediators continue efforts to “remove obstacles and close gaps” between the negotiating parties.

Dispute over aid deliveries in Gaza

The recent standoff arose after Hamas accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the truce, particularly regarding the entry of humanitarian aid, including shelters and medical supplies.

Hamas initially withheld the release of three Israeli hostages scheduled for Saturday, saying the issue needed to be resolved before proceeding.

In response, Netanyahu ordered Israeli military reserves to be called up, threatening to resume combat operations that have been paused for nearly a month unless hostages were returned.

Israeli Security Cabinet member Avi Dichter said Thursday that Hamas would not be able to alter the terms of the agreement.

“There’s a deal, they won’t be able to give anything less than what is in the deal,” Dichter told Israeli public radio. “I don’t believe that Hamas can behave otherwise.”

Mediators work to prevent breakdown of cease-fire

Egyptian security officials told Reuters that heavy construction equipment was expected to enter Gaza on Thursday as part of the aid commitments. If delivered as planned, Hamas was expected to proceed with the release of hostages on Saturday.

Both Egypt and Qatar have played a key role in mediating negotiations, and sources close to the process confirmed that both sides had agreed to move forward with the cease-fire and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

Egyptian state-run al-Qahera TV reported that trucks carrying temporary housing and bulldozers were seen on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing and were set to undergo inspection before entering Gaza.