United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Hamas to proceed with the planned release of Israeli hostages, following the group’s threat to delay further hostage-prisoner exchanges under the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
“We must avoid at all costs resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to immense tragedy,” Guterres wrote on X on Tuesday. He appealed to Hamas “to proceed with the planned liberation of hostages” and called on both sides to “fully abide by their commitments in the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations.”
The ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, has largely halted over 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip.
It has also facilitated the release of five groups of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody.
However, Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Monday that the next scheduled hostage release on Saturday would be “postponed until further notice.”
The group accused Israel of failing to meet its commitments under the agreement, including providing adequate aid, and cited the deaths of three Gazans on Sunday as a reason for the delay.
Hamas later said it was giving mediators five days’ notice to press Israel to comply with the terms of the deal.
In response, Israel said its military was preparing for “any possible scenario.”
The situation escalated further after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that he would call for an end to the ceasefire if all Israeli hostages were not freed by noon on Saturday.
Trump had already drawn criticism with a proposal to take over Gaza and remove its more than two million inhabitants.
READ ALSO: Trump Issues Fiery Ultimatum to Hamas: Release Hostages by Saturday or Face Chaos
Meanwhile, freed hostages have begun returning to their home countries. In Thailand, families of Thai farm workers held captive in Gaza for over a year rejoiced as their loved ones arrived back home.
A poignant moment captured in Udon Thani province showed Watchara Sriaoun embracing his grandfather, Sompong Sriaoun, after his release.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the fragile truce remains at risk, with the international community urging both sides to honor their commitments and prevent a return to hostilities.