Hamas has confirmed in a statement that it is committed to implementing the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza ‘according to the timetable set out in the ceasefire agreement’.

Hamas confirms that it remains committed to implementing the agreement as signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the established timetable,’ the statement said, adding that the Cairo talks aimed at breaking the deadlock and implementing the ceasefire agreement were ‘positive’.

Efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire in Gaza have been complicated by the Israeli occupation’s continued violation of the terms of the humanitarian protocol, prompting the spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, to announce that the handover of Israeli prisoners scheduled for release on Saturday would be postponed ‘until further notice’.