Tensions rise after a hostage exchange complicates previously agreed troop withdrawals in the region.
Israel Halts Gazans' Return Amid Cease-Fire Dispute with Hamas
Israel Halts Gazans' Return Amid Cease-Fire Dispute with Hamas
Israel claims Hamas violated cease-fire terms as Palestinians await return to northern Gaza.
Israeli forces are currently blocking displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, following accusations that Hamas breached the cease-fire agreement. Over the weekend, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari claimed Hamas failed to return Israeli civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, one of the conditions in the initial phase of the cease-fire deal established earlier in January.
The planned troop withdrawal was expected to enable hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans to move northward after a hostage and prisoner exchange that occurred on Saturday. However, Israeli officials insist that the return of Yehud needs to be facilitated first, thus delaying troop movements and residents' repatriation.
Hagari asserted that the released hostages were all soldiers, taken from a military base during the early days of the conflict which has been ongoing since October 2023. The insistence from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Yehud's return indicates a firm stance against allowing movement into the northern Gaza Strip until this is resolved.
In a counter-response, Hamas has accused Israel of dragging its feet regarding the cease-fire agreement, aggravating an already tense situation. This disagreement marks a crucial moment in the fragile truce that came into effect following 15 months of intense fighting between the two parties.
As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain when the humanitarian measures and troop withdrawals will proceed. Updates are anticipated as both sides stake out their positions during this critical period in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The planned troop withdrawal was expected to enable hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans to move northward after a hostage and prisoner exchange that occurred on Saturday. However, Israeli officials insist that the return of Yehud needs to be facilitated first, thus delaying troop movements and residents' repatriation.
Hagari asserted that the released hostages were all soldiers, taken from a military base during the early days of the conflict which has been ongoing since October 2023. The insistence from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Yehud's return indicates a firm stance against allowing movement into the northern Gaza Strip until this is resolved.
In a counter-response, Hamas has accused Israel of dragging its feet regarding the cease-fire agreement, aggravating an already tense situation. This disagreement marks a crucial moment in the fragile truce that came into effect following 15 months of intense fighting between the two parties.
As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain when the humanitarian measures and troop withdrawals will proceed. Updates are anticipated as both sides stake out their positions during this critical period in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
