Israel – Hamas truce: Why the handover of second batch of hostages was delayed?

On the second day of its truce with Israel, Hamas has said it will be delaying the handover of the hostages, as they have complaints with the amount of aid being delivered and the selection of Palestinian prisoners released.

Diplomatic sources close to the negotiations tell CNN that they were not aware that the process of handing over hostages with Hamas has begun.

Earlier, it was reported that the process of hostages handing over has been underway, but it was a statement by Hamas which clarified they will be delaying it until the “terms of agreement” were agreed by Israel relating to aid and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

“The Al-Qassam Brigades decide to delay the release of the second batch of prisoners until the occupation adheres to the terms of the agreement related to the entry of relief trucks into the northern Gaza Strip, and due to the failure to the agreed-upon standards for releasing prisoners,” said the military wing of Hamas on Telegram.

The sources have claimed that the Palestinian militant group has been waiting on more trucks to be transferred in the enclaved territory, before facilitating the transfer.