The Islamist militant group, Hamas on Thursday assured that it would free three Israeli hostages on Saturday as scheduled, following mediation talks in Egypt.
Disclosing this on Thursday, Hamas spokesperson, Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua said the militant group would continue to implement the ceasefire deal including a hostage-prisoner exchange within the agreed time frame.
Al-Qanoua said: “We are not interested in the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, and we are keen on its implementation and ensuring that the occupation [Israel] adheres to it fully.
“The language of threats and intimidation used by Trump and Netanyahu does not serve the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.”
He disclosed that Egyptian and Qatari mediators would press on with efforts “to remove obstacles and close gaps,” with talks underway in Cairo, Egypt.
Hamas had threatened a delay to a scheduled release of hostages, accusing Israel of not meeting its obligations to allow the movement of tents and shelters as part of the truce, as well as other alleged violations.
But US President Donald Trump had warned against the hostages not being released.
Trump had said “all hostages” must be freed by noon on Saturday or he would “let hell break out”.
On his part, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to resume fighting if Hamas failed to meet the deadline.
