The shaky ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is under strain after Israel accused Hamas of failing to release a hostage, leading to a pause in the return of Gazan civilians to their homes in the north. The agreement, already fragile, is now at risk of collapsing.

Tensions flared when 29-year-old Arbel Yehud, a civilian Israel expected to be freed, was not among the four women released on Saturday. In response, Israel blocked Gazan civilians from moving north past the Netzarim Corridor, a key part of the deal. Complicating matters, Yehud is reportedly held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), not Hamas, adding another layer of uncertainty.

Both sides are pointing fingers. Israel claims Hamas didn’t meet its obligations, while Hamas accuses Israel of delaying the ceasefire’s implementation. The situation has left mediators scrambling to keep the agreement alive. Experts warn that any misstep could derail the entire process, which took over 15 months to negotiate.

“This is a very delicate matter,” said a former Israeli hostage negotiator, emphasizing that Hamas “will not give anything for free.” He urged Israel to let mediators like Qatar and Egypt take the lead to avoid further escalation.

The stakes are high. Hundreds of displaced Gazans were seen fleeing in panic after Israeli troops fired warning shots to prevent them from crossing into northern Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas released a propaganda video showing the freed hostages thanking their captors, a move that has drawn criticism and raised questions about the hostages’ conditions.

The U.S. role in the deal is also under scrutiny. Israel has reportedly asked the Trump administration to pressure Hamas into complying with the agreement. However, with both sides accusing each other of violations, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

As tensions simmer, the question looms: Can this fragile truce hold, or will it crumble under the weight of mistrust and competing demands? For now, the world watches and waits.