Hamas condemns Israel's decision to delay the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, accusing Netanyahu of violating the ceasefire agreement. Families of detainees are left in limbo as hopes for release wane.
Israel delays the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, leading to condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of intentionally violating the ceasefire agreement established between both parties. The delay came after Hamas upheld its side of the deal by releasing six Israeli captives in a highly publicized handover, marking the last group of living Israeli captives to be freed under the ceasefire’s first phase.
On February 23, 2025, Israel’s postponement of the Palestinian prisoners’ release sparked intense criticism from Palestinian leaders and families. The delay has been seen as a major setback in the peace process and a violation of Israel's commitments under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which was supposed to see the mutual release of prisoners in a series of stages.
Hamas Responds to Israel’s Delayed Release
- Hamas's Strong Rejection of the Delay:“Netanyahu’s decision reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, represents a blatant violation of its terms, and shows the occupation’s lack of reliability in implementing its obligations.”
- Hamas quickly rejected Israel’s postponement, accusing the Israeli government of undermining the ceasefire agreement. The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, which was initially scheduled for Saturday, was delayed under the pretext that handing over the prisoners was associated with "humiliating" ceremonies.
- Hamas leaders, including Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, issued a statement accusing Netanyahu of deliberately trying to disrupt the agreement and dismissing Israel’s reasons as false and baseless.
- Netanyahu’s Justification for the Delay:“In light of Hamas’ repeated violations – including the disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda – it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday [Saturday] until the release of the next hostages is ensured, without the humiliating ceremonies.”
- Israeli officials, led by Netanyahu, argued that “humiliating” prisoner handover ceremonies, in which Hamas parades the captives before the media, were a stumbling block to the prisoners' release.
- Netanyahu’s office framed the delay as a necessary response to Hamas’s “disgraceful” use of captives for propaganda purposes. This was a new demand that had not been explicitly mentioned in the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas’s Criticism: Playing Dirty Politics
- Hamas Rejects the Allegations of ‘Humiliation’:“The prisoner handover ceremony does not include any insult to them, but rather reflects the noble humane treatment of them.”
- Hamas quickly responded, labeling the claims made by Netanyahu as propaganda aimed at avoiding Israel’s obligations. The organization asserted that the handover ceremonies, which involve masked Hamas fightersparading the Israeli captives, were designed to show humane treatment and not to humiliate.
- Hamas Calls for Mediation to Enforce Ceasefire Terms:
- In its statement, Hamas called on mediating nations, which have been involved in the ceasefire negotiations, to step in and ensure that Israel sticks to the terms of the agreement. Hamas insisted that any delay or stalling tactics would undermine the integrity of the ceasefire.
Palestinian Families Left Waiting in Limbo
- Long Hours of Waiting in Gaza and the West Bank:“We have been sitting in our chairs waiting for many hours, but after many hours, nothing. But what else can we do?”
- Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza had been waiting eagerly for the release of their loved ones, many of whom have been in Israeli prisons for years. The emotional toll on these families was immense as they sat anxiously for hours in anticipation of the arrival of their freed relatives.
- Khaled Khalil al-Jabarin, an uncle of a detainee, expressed his frustration at the delay, stating:
- Family Members’ Emotional Struggles:“It’s very difficult to wait. We wait for them, to hug them, and see them, but Netanyahu is always stalling.”“God willing, they will be released soon.”
- Shireen al-Hamamreh, whose brother was among the prisoners scheduled for release, described the emotional toll of the waiting period:
- Other family members, including Fatiha Abu Abdullah, a mother from Khan Younis in Gaza, held onto hope, despite the uncertainty. She remarked that she was certain her loved one would eventually be freed.
Israeli Government’s Position: Ready for Resumption of Hostilities
- Netanyahu’s Warning on Resuming Fighting:“We are prepared to resume intense fighting at any moment, our operational plans are ready... Let there be no doubt – we will complete the war’s objectives entirely – whether through negotiation or by other means.”
- In a statement issued later that day, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel was prepared to resume military action in Gaza if the situation escalated. Israel had previously focused on eliminating most of Hamas's organized forces but stressed that it would complete its war objectives, whether through negotiation or military means.
US Envoy Remains Optimistic About Ceasefire Deal
- US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s Perspective:“We have to get an extension of phase one and so I’ll be going into the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that.”
- Despite the tense situation, Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy for the Middle East, remained hopeful that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement would proceed. Witkoff reiterated his optimism during a Sunday interview, stating that his team would negotiate an extension of phase one and work toward resuming prisoner exchanges.
- This comment suggested that the US would continue to play a crucial role in facilitating the peace process and pushing for the implementation of the ceasefire terms.
Source: AL Jazeera
