Palestinian militant group Hamas says it will stop releasing Israeli hostages until further notice over what it says are Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

In reply, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement with its announcement and that he had instructed the military to prepare at the highest level of readiness in the Gaza Strip and to defend Israeli communities.

Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, said that since the ceasefire came into effect on January 19, Israel had delayed allowing displaced Palestinians from returning to the northern part of the Gaza Strip, targeted Gazans with military shelling and gunfire and had stopped relief materials entering the territory.

Read the full story here.

11 FEB - 05:36 AMMatt Shrivell

Albo’s call with Trump could make or break tariff exemption deal

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be stressing the United States’ mutual trade and security interests in a high stakes call with President Donald Trump this morning to carve out an Australian exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs.

President Trump on Monday signalled a new blanket 25 per cent import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US, a move that triggered alarm in Canberra about its potential impact on jobs and living standards.

Government officials have been working behind the scenes for months to ensure Australia is not slapped with punishing US levies but Tuesday’s pre-scheduled phone call will be Mr Albanese’s first chance since the inauguration to personally make Australia’s case.

More coverrage on Albo’s big call here.