‘On Highest Alert for Every Scenario’: Hamas Announces Suspension of Israeli Hostage Releases From Gaza Until Further Notice

Latest Developments

Hamas Suspends Hostage Releases, Claiming Israeli Violations: Hamas announced on February 10 that it was suspending the release of all remaining Israeli hostages until further notice. The Iran-backed terrorist organization claimed that Israel was in violation of the ceasefire agreement, allegations one Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post are “fake.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had directed the IDF “to prepare on highest alert for every scenario in Gaza” following Hamas’s announcement, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations with his defense cabinet throughout the day.
Released Hostages Report Torture by Hamas Terrorists: Hamas’s statement came after the February 8 release of three Israeli hostages, all of whom appeared severely emaciated during a heavily choreographed Gazan release ceremony. President Donald Trump said during a February 9 gaggle on Air Force One that the three men “looked like Holocaust survivors.” Released Israeli hostages return home have reported abuse and torture at the hands of their Hamas captors, including being chained, gagged, burned with a hot object, hung by their feet, and starved. Ohad Ben Ami, one of the three men released over the weekend, said that the hostages had been treated “like animals” throughout their time in captivity.
Announcement Follows IDF Withdrawal From Netzarim Corridor, Hamas Meetings in Iran: The IDF withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor in accordance with the ceasefire agreement on February 8. The strategic corridor, a developed road bisecting the Gaza Strip from east to west, was used by Israel throughout the war to launch operations inside the Palestinian enclave. The same day, Hamas leaders Mohammad Ismail Darwish, Khalil al-Hayya, and Zaher Jabarin were in Tehran meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s support for the terrorist organization.

FDD Expert Response

“Hamas is clearly trying to call President Trump’s bluff and keep itself in the long-term game in Gaza. The hostages are their only card to play — and always have been. Key Hamas sponsors need to be reminded what ‘hell to pay’ entails.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

“The images of severely malnourished hostages who Hamas released on Saturday created a significant public outcry. By freezing the hostage release, Hamas is deliberately creating panic among the families of the hostages and the public to put pressure on the Israeli government to do everything it can to secure the release of the remaining hostages, including a possible concession to additional Hamas demands. However, this strategy comes with significant risk. Hamas is not only challenging Israel but also President Trump, and the plan may backfire significantly.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal