Ceasefire Ending Imminent... Hamas Says "Israel Refuses Hostage Handover" (Comprehensive)

"Ready to Resume Combat if Extension Not Granted" Statement

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The Palestinian armed group Hamas has stated that it is prepared to resume fighting with Israel if the agreed temporary ceasefire is not extended.

According to major foreign media, Hamas issued a statement in the early hours of the 30th (local time), about two hours before the ceasefire was set to end, saying, "The Al-Qassam Brigades have requested active members to maintain a high state of combat readiness during the final hours of the ceasefire."

Hamas said, "Unless an official statement confirming the extension of the ceasefire is announced, the members must maintain this status." Hamas also claimed that Israel is refusing to hand over seven hostages and three bodies as agreed.

In a separate statement, Hamas said that Israel is refusing to hand over seven female and child hostages and three bodies of those killed in Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip, which were conditions agreed upon for extending the temporary ceasefire.

Hamas added in the separate statement, "Despite confirmation through mediators that these (the seven hostages and three bodies) are all that the movement holds regarding detainees within the agreed scope," Israel is refusing to comply.

Israel has not issued a separate statement regarding the extension of the ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces announced that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi held an operational meeting at the Southern Command in Beersheba and approved military combat plans. Chief of Staff Halevi emphasized, "We know what we must do and are prepared for the next steps."

Israel and Hamas are negotiating the extension of the ceasefire through mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, but the outcome remains uncertain.

Earlier, Israel and Hamas entered a four-day temporary ceasefire starting on the 24th under conditions that included exchanging three Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage and allowing humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip. They agreed to extend the ceasefire by two days on the 28th, ending at 7 a.m. on the 30th.

As of the previous day, a total of 81 hostages have been released from the Gaza Strip, including 60 Israelis and 21 foreigners. The number of Palestinian prisoners released from Israel is 180.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.