Hamas Says Continuation Of Talks With Israel Depends On Release Of Prisoners According To Agreement

Release of Palestinian prisoners Thursday. (Source: WAFA)

JAKARTA - Talks with Israel through mediators about the next steps in the ceasefire agreement rely on the release of Palestinian prisoners by agreement, Hamas Basem Naim officials said on Sunday.

Israel on Sunday announced the postponement of the release of hundreds of Palestinian hostages planned to be released the day before, until Hamas met its requirements.

"Every talk with the enemy through the mediator regarding the upcoming steps depends on the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners agreed in exchange for the four bodies and six Israeli prisoners released on Saturday," Hamas Naim political bureau member told Reuters. February 24th.

"The mediators must ensure that the enemy complies with the terms of the agreement as stated in the agreed text," he continued.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel was waiting to hand over 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees "until the next release of hostages is confirmed, and without an embarrassing ceremony."

That refers to the recent submission by Hamas which UN officials say violates international law for disrespect.

Hamas has made the hostages appear on stage in public and sometimes speak before they are handed over. The coffin containing the hostages' bodies has also been brought over the public.

Palestinian Prisoners Society, a local group supporting Palestinian prisoners, said Israel practiced "state terrorism against detainees and their families".

Ghasan Washahi, whose brother will be released on Saturday, said his family was disappointed by the delay.

"Every time there is a list of detainees who will be released, we will wait, hoping that the Islamic name will be between them, but never there," he said, referring to his brother.

"My mother has even begun to lose hope that she will be released into the deal. And when her name finally came up, Israel stopped the deal," he continued.

In Washington, the White House on Sunday supported Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners, citing Hamas' "barbarbaric treatment" of Israeli hostages.

The delay is a "proper response" to the Palestinian militant group's treatment of the hostages, according to a statement from National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.

President Donald Trump is ready to support Israel in "any action it chooses regarding Hamas," he added.

It is known that Israel and Hamas have often accused each other of committing violations since the ceasefire began on January 19, but so far it has continued. Hamas said at one stage it would stop handing over hostages for alleged Israeli offenses.

The ceasefire has stopped fighting, but the definitive end prospects remain unclear.

Both sides said they intend to start talks in the second phase, which the mediator said was aimed at approving the return of all remaining hostages and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The latest conflict broke out in Gaza when Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region, leaving about 1.20 people dead and 250 others held hostage on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli calculations.

It was replied by a blockade, airstrikes and ground operations by the Israeli military in the Palestinian enclave.

The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a cross-border attack on the Israeli community on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 people being held hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Quoted from WAFA, the death toll from Palestinians in Gaza as of Sunday has reached 48,339 people, while injuries have reached 111,753, with the majority of victims being women and children, according to local medical sources on Sunday.