BREAKING NEWS
The terrorist group Hamas on Saturday accused Israel of violating the terms of a cease-fire deal and said it is delaying the release of any more hostages.
Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades said it will not release any more hostages until Israel commits to permitting aid trucks to enter northern Gaza.
Israel did not issue an immediate response. Earlier, an Israeli military spokesperson had told France's BFM television station that, barring last minute changes, 13 Israeli hostages were expected to be freed, per Reuters.
Israel was expected to release 39 more Palestinian prisoners in return.
Under the terms of the temporary cease-fire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, the terror group would release 50 hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel would also permit humanitarian aid to be delivered into the Gaza Strip for the duration of the four-day cease-fire.
Fifty trucks carrying humanitarian aid including food, water and medical supplies were sent to the northern Gaza Strip during the truce between Israel and Hamas that began on Friday, Israel said earlier.
Reacting to the report, former USS Cole Commander Kirk Lippold told Fox News, "You cannot trust terrorists."
Reuters contributed to this update.
ISRAEL - NOVEMBER: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visits the 91st Division's base in northern Israel, November 11, 2023. (Photo by Israeli Defense Minister/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant told IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip that Israel's military operations will not conclude until all of the hostages held by Hamas are freed.
Gallant spoke to commanders and soldiers from the IDF's infantry, armored corps, engineering and navy forces on Saturday, who are operating in the Gaza Strip, the military said. He addressed the temporary cease-fire and negotiations with Hamas to free some 240 hostages the terror group took captive in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
“Our ability to bring home the first group of hostages is the result of military pressure. As soon as military pressure is applied, they [Hamas] want a break. When you increase the pressure, they want another break. When you increase the pressure even more, they are ready to come forward with an offer, and when you increase it even more, they are read to come with an acceptable offer – that’s the whole method," Gallant said.
"We cannot leave Gaza and stop the war until we reach a situation in which we bring back all the hostages – because we have many more [held captive]," he added.
Addressing the soldiers directly, he said: “There is a direct correlation between your actions and the elimination of the enemy [Hamas] and also between your actions and our ability to bring back the hostages – that’s the process. The timeframe for the pause is short – it won’t take weeks, it will take days – a little more, a little less – any further negotiations will be held under fire. That is, they want to continue discussing the next time [the next pause] – it will be held while our forces are fighting – that’s the basis [for any pause]."
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