The Gaza ceasefire hasn’t even been implemented for a month but Israel has already violated its terms. In response Hamas has delayed the release of hostages.

The ceasefire, which started on 19th January 2025 is already on the verge of collapsing. On 10th February, Hamas announced that it would not release any more hostages until Israel fulfilled its side of the ceasefire. According to Al Jazeera, Israel is short on 29% of the promised aid allowed into Gaza, 90% of tents and none of the 60,000 promised mobile homes have been allowed through. They are also short 88% of the number of critically injured Palestinians who should so far have been allowed to leave Gaza for treatment and is reportedly slowing the return of displaced Palestinians to the north of Gaza.

“Hamas intentionally made this announcement five full days before the scheduled release of the prisoners to give mediators enough time to pressure the occupation[Israel] to fulfil its obligations and to keep the door open for the exchange to take place on time if the occupation adheres to its commitments,”- Abu Obeida, Spokesmen for the Al Qassam Brigades(Hamas military)

Israel says that on 25th January, Hamas didn’t release one of the female hostages who was supposed to return to Israel, Israel responding by delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to north Gaza. She was released five days later on the 30th, with the reason for delay being “internal problems” between Hamas and their ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who held her during the war.

Israel has also delayed talks for the second phase so that Prime Minister Benjamin “BIbi” Netanyahu can visit President Trump in Washington. Since then, Trump has made some inflammatory statements about the situation, which Netanyahu has agreed with.

“That’s Israel’s decision but, as far as I’m concerned, if the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday 12 o’clock, I think it’s an appropriate time, I would say, cancel it[the ceasefire] and all bets are off and let hell break out”- Donald Trump on the ongoing situation

Trump also seemingly wants Israel to have all of Palestine, with his Ambassador to the UN saying Israel has a “Biblical right” to the West Bank, also refusing to answer weather or not Palestinians deserve a state, and Trump saying the US will “take over” Gaza, and expel millions of Palestinians to surrounding Arab countries with Gaza being turned into a Riviera style area. King Abdullah of Jordan has since met with Trump to reject these plans.