Hamas says it will release Israeli hostages as planned amid fears over collapse of ceasefire

Hamas has said it will release Israeli hostages as planned and will implement the Gaza ceasefire deal.

It had previously threatened to delay the next release of hostages after accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations to allow in tents and shelters.

In response Israel, with the backing of US President Donald Trump, had threatened to renew its offensive if hostages were not freed.

But in a statement, Hamas indicated three more Israeli hostages would be freed on Saturday.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators have affirmed they will work to "remove all hurdles" to ensure the ceasefire holds, the group added.

Israel is yet to comment on the Hamas announcement.

The ceasefire began on 19 January, bringing a pause to 16 months of war in Gaza.

In its first stage, which will last 42 days, Hamas is meant to free 33 Israeli hostages taken during its attack on 7 October 2023, which sparked the war.

So far it has released 21 in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli custody.

Israel and Hamas are expected to begin negotiations on a second phase of the deal, which would extend the truce and see all Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza in exchange for the freedom of the remaining hostages - though little progress appears to have been made so far.

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