Israel advances Liberation from Palestinian prisoners and violates ceasefire

Hamas condemned Israel’s decision to postpone the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners, stating that the measure represents a violation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The group accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of acting deliberately to interrupt the commitment signed.

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision reflects a deliberate attempt to interrupt the agreement, represents a flagrant violation of its terms and shows the lack of reliability of occupation in the implementation of its obligations,” said Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Political Bureau Do Hamas, this Sunday (23).

Netanyahu imposes new conditions

Israel had committed to freeing 620 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday after Hamas fulfilled his part of the agreement by releasing six Israeli hostages. However, Netanyahu announced the suspension of release, claiming that the ceremonies made by Hamas during the release of Israeli hostages were “humiliating” and that the Palestinian organization would be using hostages to propaganda.

“In the light of the repeated violations of Hamas – including shameful ceremonies that dishonor our hostages and cynical use of hostages to propaganda – it was decided to postpone the release of terrorists who were planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages is guaranteed, without the ones humiliating ceremonies, ”said Netanyahu’s office.

Hamas denies violations and asks for international action

Hamas rejected the accusations and charged the mediating nations that press Israel to comply with the agreement. “The prisoner’s delivery ceremony does not include any insults to them, but reflects the noble and human treatment given to them,” the group said.

Israeli public opinion has noticed in deliveries of their relatives the joy and humanitarian conditions in which they are presented after so many months in the custody of Hamas. One of them even hugged and kissing the Palestinian soldiers. Palestinian prisoners, in turn, are delivered with serious torture sequelae, such as irreversible psychological trauma and precarious physical conditions.

Since the beginning of the ceasefire on January 19, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages, always in ceremonies in which masked combatants paraded alongside the prisoners. The agreement does not specify the format of liberations, which opened margin for divergent interpretations between the parties.

In the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, Palestinian families spent hours waiting for the release of their relatives on Saturday, unsuccessfully.

Israel threatens to resume attacks on Gaza

Netanyahu also raised his tone by declaring that Israel is prepared to resume the fighting in Gaza. “We are prepared to resume intense combat at any time, our operational plans are ready,” said the prime minister.

“In Gaza, we eliminate most Hamas organized forces, but we have no doubt: we will completely complete the war objectives, either through negotiation or other means,” he added.

Meanwhile, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the continuity of the agreement. In an interview with CNN, he said he hoped negotiations will advance and travel to the region next Wednesday to seek a solution.

The crisis generated by the Israeli decision launches doubts about the viability of the second phase of ceasefire and the continuity of prisoners’ exchanges, increasing tensions in the region.