Hamas suspends the next release of captives held in Gaza indefinitely, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire deal, including by continuing to kill Palestinians and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid.

    US President Donald Trump says the Gaza ceasefire deal should be cancelled if all the Israeli captives are not released by Saturday.

    The moves spark protests in Tel Aviv, while the Israeli military says it has cancelled leave for its troops and is increasing its forces around the Gaza Strip.

    On the ground in Gaza, harsh weather conditions are adding to the misery of displaced Palestinians who are sheltering in makeshift tents as most of their homes have been damaged or destroyed.

    Israel’s war on Gaza has killed a confirmed 48,208 people and wounded 111,655, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Gaza’s Government Media Office has updated the death toll to at least 61,709 people, saying thousands who were missing under the rubble are now presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023 attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.

    Israeli forces demolish more homes in West Bank

    Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights group, says that Israeli forces have demolished 10 homes in the village of Masafer Yatta, forcibly displacing about eight families.

    In a post on X, Al-Haq said the soldiers also destroyed two agricultural buildings and uprooted trees in the village, which is located south of the city of Hebron. The rights group noted that the Israeli military and settlers have escalated attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank since the ceasefire in Gaza.

    We reported earlier that Israeli authorities have demolished five houses in Khallet Athaba, another village south of Hebron, displacing about 40 people, mostly children and women.

    Arrests, clashes as Israeli forces continue West Bank raids

    Al Jazeera Arabic is reporting that Israeli forces are continuing their raid on the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

    The incursion triggered clashes with Palestinian fighters, with local sources reporting hearing explosions in an eastern neighbourhood of the city. They say Israeli forces also prevented ambulances from entering the area.

    Footage from the city also shows Israeli bulldozers destroying paved roads.

    According to AJA, the soldiers also stormed the town of Jaba, south of Jenin, and arrested three people,

    Meanwhile, the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, issued a statement saying its fighters were confronting Israeli forces in the nearby Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps.

    HRW welcomes Japan’s pledge to accept medical evacuees, students from Gaza

    Human Rights Watch has hailed Japan’s decision to facilitate some medical evacuations and take in students from Gaza but said Tokyo should press the Israeli government to end the ongoing and grave violations in the Palestinian enclave.

    “Despite the current ceasefire, the situation in Gaza remains dire,” said Teppei Kasai, the programme officer at the Asia Division.

    “Japan should press the Israeli government to lift the unlawful blockade, ensure the free flow of humanitarian aid, fully restore basic services like electricity and water, and facilitate the rebuilding of infrastructure, homes, schools and hospitals,” he said.

    “Japan should also support accountability efforts by supporting the International Criminal Court and executing its warrants, and by pressing Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s binding orders in the genocide case brought by South Africa,” he added.