Hamas agrees to release 3 more hostages amid Israeli pressure

Hamas announced Thursday it would proceed with the planned release of three more Israeli hostages, easing a major dispute over the ceasefire in Gaza.

The group had earlier threatened delays, accusing Israel of violating truce terms by restricting aid deliveries, including tents and shelters. Israel, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, warned it would resume military operations if hostages were not freed.

The move came soon after Israel warned Thursday that Hamas must release three living hostages this weekend or face a resumption of the war in Gaza, after the Palestinian militant group said it was committed to the truce agreement.

Hamas said its delegation held talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials and was in contact with Qatar’s prime minister about bringing into Gaza more shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment for clearing rubble — its key demand in recent days. It said in a statement that the mediators had pledged to “remove all hurdles.”

Shortly after the announcement, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou confirmed to The Associated Press by phone that three hostages will be released on Saturday.

‘Power games’

US President Donald Trump had warned this week that “hell” would break loose if Hamas failed to release “all” the remaining hostages by noon on Saturday.

If fighting resumes, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said, “the new Gaza war… will not end without the defeat of Hamas and the release of all the hostages”.

“It will also allow the realisation of US President Trump’s vision for Gaza,” he added.

War raged for more than 15 months before the ceasefire took effect on January 19.

Trump, whose return to the White House has emboldened the Israeli far right, sparked global outcry with a proposal for the United States to take over Gaza and to move its 2.4 million residents to Egypt or Jordan.