Hamas has delayed the transfer of hostages and Israeli forces have raised their readiness levels

Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreed to last month, and Hamas has postponed the release of the men scheduled for January 15 until further notice.

In a statement issued on Monday (10 February), ABU Ubaida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said that over the past three weeks, Hamas has monitored a series of Israeli violations and non-compliance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including delaying the return of displaced persons to the northern Gaza Strip and carrying out attacks against them in various parts of the Gaza Strip. And the failure to release relief supplies in the agreed manner. Hamas has fulfilled all its obligations.

In light of these actions, the release of the hostages scheduled for the 15th will be postponed until the Israeli side promises and makes compensation for its actions in the past few weeks, the statement said. The statement stressed that as long as Israel abides by the terms of the agreement, Hamas will also abide by its commitments.

Bloomberg quoted Israeli Defense Minister Israeli Katz as saying that Hamas's statement amounted to a violation of the ceasefire agreement and that the Israeli military was on high alert.

An Israeli military bulletin quoted by Reuters said it was raising its "combat readiness level" and strengthening its southern command to carry out defensive missions. It also delayed the leave of combat troops within the command.

The exchange of words between Israel and Hamas underscored the fragility of the cease-fire, which the two sides are in early talks over whether to extend. However, Israel and Hamas have traded accusations in the past that were eventually resolved without breaking agreements.

On January 15, Israel reached an agreement with Hamas on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, agreeing to exchange Palestinians it has imprisoned for hostages taken by Hamas during the October 2023 attacks, and the agreement came into effect on January 19. The first phase of the ceasefire lasted six weeks, during which both sides exchanged some of the other's detainees. On 8 February, Hamas and Israel completed the fifth batch of personnel exchange.