Hamas has declared that no further ceasefire negotiations with Israel will take place unless 620 Palestinian prisoners are released as previously agreed. The demand has escalated tensions as the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal nears its expiration.
Israel Delays Prisoner Release
On Sunday, Israel delayed the release of 620 Palestinian detainees, citing Hamas’s violations of the agreement. Israeli officials accused Hamas of “humiliating” hostages during handover ceremonies and using them for propaganda purposes.
The exchange was supposed to include six living and four deceased hostages in return for the prisoners. Reports indicate that some Palestinian detainees had already boarded buses in the occupied West Bank when the order to halt the process was issued.
Hamas Calls Move a “Blatant Violation”
Hamas condemned Israel’s decision as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire deal. The group warned that further discussions on a longer truce or hostage exchanges would not happen unless the agreed-upon prisoners were freed.
Hamas official Basem Naim urged mediators, particularly the US, Qatar, and Egypt, to pressure Israel into honoring the agreement. He claimed Israel was intentionally “sabotaging the deal” and creating conditions for a return to war.
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Hostage Handover Controversy
On Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli hostages. However, their handover was staged on platforms beside armed Hamas fighters, a move that angered Israel. A video also emerged showing two other hostages pleading with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure their release.
The situation escalated further when Hamas mistakenly handed over the body of a Palestinian woman instead of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas. The group later corrected the error, but Israeli authorities accused them of further deceit.
Growing International Concerns
The United Nations has expressed concerns that the temporary ceasefire is in “grave danger” due to these developments. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to prevent a return to war, stressing the need for a “dignified release of all hostages.”
Meanwhile, the White House supported Israel’s decision to delay the prisoner release, stating that Hamas’s treatment of hostages was “barbaric”. However, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff plans to travel to the region to push for an extension of the ceasefire.
What’s Next?
The first phase of the ceasefire, lasting six weeks, is set to end on Saturday. The deal originally outlined a prisoner-hostage exchange, withdrawal of Israeli troops from urban Gaza, and increased humanitarian aid.
The second phase was expected to bring a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a full Israeli military withdrawal. However, with rising tensions and mutual accusations of violations, the future of the truce remains uncertain.
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