Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Hamas demands Israel release 620 Palestinian prisoners as agreed, while Israel insists on hostages being freed first, raising tensions despite ongoing ceasefire.
Hamas official Basem Naim said on Sunday that any discussions with Israel about the next steps in the ceasefire agreement must depend on Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners as previously agreed.
Israel had planned to release 620 Palestinian prisoners the day before but decided to delay it. The Israeli government said it would only move forward once Hamas followed through on its commitments regarding hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office made it clear that they would not release the prisoners “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without humiliating ceremonies.”
This statement refers to how Hamas has been handling hostage releases. According to United Nations officials, Hamas has violated international law by making hostages appear in public, sometimes forcing them to speak before being handed over. In some cases, coffins carrying hostage remains were paraded through crowds.
Basem Naim, a member of the Hamas political bureau, told Reuters that “any talks with the enemy through mediators regarding any upcoming steps are conditional on the release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners agreed upon in exchange for the four bodies and the six Israeli captives who were freed on Saturday.” He also said mediators must ensure that Israel follows the terms of the agreement exactly as written.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society, an organization that supports Palestinian prisoners, accused Israel of engaging in “state terrorism” against prisoners and their families by delaying their release.
Since the ceasefire started on January 19, both Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of breaking the agreement. Despite the tensions, the ceasefire has remained in place. At one point, Hamas even threatened to stop handing over hostages because it claimed Israel was not keeping its side of the deal.
The ceasefire has brought a temporary halt to the fighting, but it is uncertain whether it will lead to a permanent end to the war. Both sides have said they are open to negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire. Mediators hope this next stage will focus on securing the release of all remaining hostages and ensuring a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. However, it remains to be seen whether these discussions will lead to a long-term resolution.