• Israel threatens war resumption if prisoners not freed
• Egypt, Qatar ‘overcome’ Gaza ceasefire obstacles
CAIRO: The Palestinian group Hamas signalled on Thursday that a crisis threatening to unravel the Gaza ceasefire deal could be avoided despite uncertainty over the number of prisoners due to be released on Saturday and disagreements over aid supplies.
The 42-day ceasefire has appeared close to failure this week amid accusations on both sides of violations to the agreement sealed last month with the help of Egyptian and Qatari mediators and US support.
Hamas said it did not want the deal to collapse, though it rejected what it called the “language of threats and intimidation” from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. They have said the ceasefire should be cancelled if the prisoners are not released.
“Accordingly, Hamas reaffirms its commitment to implementing the agreement as signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timeline,” Hamas said in a statement.
Israel warned on Thursday that Hamas must release three living prisoners this weekend or face a resumption of the war in Gaza. “If those three are not released, if Hamas does not return our prisoners, by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end,” said government spokesman David Mencer.
