Uncertainty surrounds next stages of Gaza ceasefire

It has brought new dismay for Israelis who watched the latest Hamas handover of hostages in growing horror over the weekend as the three emaciated men came into sight.

The ceasefire that went into effect on January 19 largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip and saw five groups of Israeli hostages freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli custody.

The Gaza ceasefire was hanging in the balance last night after Hamas declared it is delaying the release of hostages indefinitely.

First, Hamas delayed the next release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire deal over the past three weeks, the ABC reported.