Hamas Delays Second Hostage Release, Israel Gives Midnight Deadline

The armed wing of Hamas said Saturday it was delaying the handover of a second group of hostages due to be released under a truce deal until Israel “adheres to the terms of the agreement”.

The entry of humanitarian aid to the north of the Gaza Strip and the selection criteria for the liberation of prisoners were the issues in question, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement.

An Israeli official confirmed to AFP the hostages had not yet been handed over to the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip.