Hamas postpones the release of more Israeli hostages.

The military wing of Hamas announced a postponement of the second hostage release, demanding that Israel "abide by the terms" of the original agreement.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on November 25th that it was postponing the second hostage release until Israel increases the number of vehicles carrying humanitarian aid allowed into northern Gaza.

Hamas warned that the hostage release process could be further delayed if Israel "does not comply with the terms" of releasing Palestinian prisoners in the original agreement.

Israeli officials confirmed on the same day that Hamas had not yet handed over the second group of hostages to the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip. Israeli media revealed that authorities had given Hamas a deadline of midnight on November 26 (5:00 AM Hanoi time) to release the hostages and threatened to end the ceasefire.

Earlier, the Israeli army was informed by Hamas that a second group of 13 hostages had been taken, mostly residents of the Be'eri settlement, one of the communities that suffered the most casualties when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.

Israeli armored vehicles operate in northern Gaza Strip on November 22. Photo: Reuters — Israeli armored vehicles operate in northern Gaza Strip on November 22. Photo: *Reuters*

Approximately 200 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip during the first two days of the ceasefire, with 50 of them allowed to reach the northern area, which has been the most heavily contested region in over a month.

Hamas released 24 hostages in the first phase on November 24, including 13 Israelis, 10 Thai citizens, and one Filipino citizen. 39 Palestinian prisoners were also released by Israel on the same day.

However, Hamas official Taher al-Nono accused Israel of failing to release Palestinian prisoners as requested. The armed group in the Gaza Strip wants Tel Aviv to release Palestinians in order of their prison sentences, prioritizing those who have served the longest time.

Hamas also accused the Israeli army of violating the agreement by firing warning shots at Palestinians attempting to return to northern Gaza during the ceasefire. The clashes resulted in at least two Palestinian deaths.

The Israeli military warned that enforcing the hostage release agreement was complex and unpredictable, and urged Palestinians not to leave their refuges to return to the northern Gaza Strip during the ceasefire. Officials from Israel's Southern Command said the military was ready to respond to any threats during this period.

Thanh Danh (According to Reuters, Times of Israel )

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