Hamas says it will postpone Israeli hostage release
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What is the main topic of this episode?
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Bernadette Keogh, and in the early hours of Tuesday 11th February, these are our main stories. Hamas is delaying the release of hostages, blaming Israeli violations. Israel responds by putting its military on high alert. There have been protests in Jerusalem after two Palestinian booksellers were arrested. The Trump administration begins deporting migrants back to Venezuela.
Also in this podcast... I actually thought he'd punched me very hard. I didn't realise there was a knife in his hand.
The trial has opened of a man charged with trying to murder the author Salman Rushdie and how a monkey brought Sri Lanka's energy grid to a standstill. Since a long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect just over three weeks ago, a fragile peace has seen 21 hostages held in Gaza being released in exchange for more than 500 Palestinian prisoners, much to the delight of their families and supporters.
Why did Hamas postpone the hostage release?
It also saw tens of thousands of Palestinians returning to their homes, many of which have been destroyed following the Israeli bombardment. But now Hamas has said it's postponing the next scheduled handover of hostages due for this Saturday because it says Israel has failed to keep to its side of the ceasefire agreement. But they did add that the door remained open to this weekend's hostage prisoner exchange. Our correspondent in Jerusalem, Wura Davis, told me more about the reasons for Hamas's decision.
It sort of came out of the blue, this, because thus far the ceasefire has been working pretty well. As you were saying, 21 hostages released in exchange for about 500 Palestinian prisoners, much more aid getting into Gaza, the reopening of the border between Egypt and Gaza. But there are tensions.
What are the complications surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire?
We're near the end of the first phase of the ceasefire now, and it's a fragile ceasefire because there are pressures on both sides. And Hamas has now said it will not, as things stand now, proceed with the release of three or four hostages as was expected at the weekend. Now they're blaming Israel, saying Israel isn't keeping to its side of the bargain vis-a-vis the aid getting into Gaza and also it's accused Israel of firing against individuals and targets in Gaza during the ceasefire. There have been breaches of ceasefire but it has generally held. Now Israel is angry by this decision from Hamas. It said Hamas has clearly backed down from what it was meant to do under the deal And the Israeli military, the IDF, is now on standby and ready for what may come, which, of course, may be a resumption of the war if the ceasefire does collapse.
Well, how much of a risk is that, Wura, that that could happen?
It is possible. It's only Monday night here in the Middle East. The handover isn't due to happen until Saturday. So they've got four or five days to work on this, which I think is crucial. And there are international mediators who will push both sides to try and resume the ceasefire. But there are also elements on the Israeli side, particularly far-right elements within the government, who take this as a sign that the war has to restart. They've been pushing at Mr Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister for some time to stop anyway after the first phase of the ceasefire and to resume the war because their argument is that Hamas is not yet militarily defeated and they want the war to resume. So this gives more momentum to that kind of view, if you like. So it is a very, very dangerous moment.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic of this episode?
0:37–1:50
2
Why did Hamas postpone the hostage release?
1:50–2:39
3
What are the complications surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire?
2:39–5:10
4
How are recent deportations impacting Venezuelan migrants?
5:10–10:21
5
What are the latest developments in Salman Rushdie's attack trial?
10:21
6
Why are Palestinian booksellers being accused of incitement?
7:24–11:47
7
How is climate change urgency being addressed globally?
11:47–13:39
8
What can we expect from the new Bridget Jones film?
13:39–30:19
Speakers
12 identifiedMore from Global News Podcast
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