Hamas has postponed the release of Israeli hostages, citing Israeli breaches of the ceasefire, including delays in aid and return of displaced Gazans. Israel has rejected the claims and ordered military readiness at the highest level. Talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt show little progress.
Hamas announced on Monday that it would halt the scheduled release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire deal that came into effect on January 19. The group claims Israel delayed the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, obstructed humanitarian aid, and targeted civilians.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz dismissed Hamas' claims, stating that the militant group itself had violated the agreement. He said he had instructed the military to maintain the highest level of readiness in Gaza and to protect Israeli communities.
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., has largely held, but sporadic incidents have heightened tensions. Mediators now fear the agreement is on the brink of collapse.
So far, 16 out of 33 Israeli hostages scheduled for release in the first phase of the deal have been freed, along with five Thai nationals. In return, Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas argues that Israel has failed to uphold key conditions, particularly regarding aid deliveries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations on Monday, while the security cabinet is set to convene on Tuesday. Meanwhile, an Israeli delegation returned from ceasefire talks in Qatar, but negotiations remain deadlocked due to growing mistrust between both sides.
In a separate development, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested relocating Palestinians out of Gaza to develop the enclave into a U.S.-controlled waterfront real estate project. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu endorsed the remarks, sparking tensions with Egypt, which accused Israel of stalling ceasefire progress.
As talks for a second phase of the ceasefire remain stalled, uncertainty looms over the agreement’s future and the fate of the remaining hostages.
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U.S. President Donald Trump says it was "too expensive" for Witkoff and Kushner to go to Islamabad as Iran says they are waiting to see if America is "truly serious about diplomacy". Israel's armed forces has launched a missle attack into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into north Israel.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling to contain two major wildfires in northern Japan for a fourth consecutive day, as flames advance towards residential areas and force thousands to flee.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war suffered a setback on Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned envoy visit to Pakistan for talks, even as parallel regional diplomacy continued and military tensions escalated in Lebanon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
An additional consignment of Russian wheat has been dispatched to Armenia via Azerbaijan transit routes on 24 April, continuing a series of deliveries using regional rail corridors.
France and Armenia are set to strengthen cooperation in defence, technology and the economy during a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister has confirmed.
Around 14% of Central Asia’s population - about 12 million people - are facing food shortages, according to the United Nations. The issue was a central focus at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.
Türkiye sent six trucks carrying critical medical supplies to Iran on Thursday, reinforcing humanitarian assistance amid challenging cross-border conditions.
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