Title: Abu Ubaida: Israel "Delayed" Potential Hostage Agreement

A spokesman for the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said today, Saturday, that the movement was close to reaching an agreement with Israel regarding the hostages they hold, but Israel "delayed." Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, stated in a video message that "communications regarding the prisoners took place, and there was an opportunity to reach a formula for an agreement, but the enemy delayed." He added that the movement will only release all the hostages it has if Israel releases all Palestinian prisoners. He continued by saying that Hamas is also open to discussions about a partial agreement regarding the prisoners, stating, "If the enemy wants to resolve the prisoner issue all at once, we are ready; and if it wants a pathway to segment the issue, we are also ready." In response, an Israeli military spokesman expressed, "I feel the pain of the families of the abductees, and we are doing everything we can to bring them back," emphasizing that "we will continue the war and make every effort to retrieve the abductees." He noted that the statement from the "Hamas leader in Gaza regarding the hostages is a psychological war by Hamas to pressure the Israelis," explaining that "there are international parties working towards reaching an agreement to home the abductees."