On Sunday, Hamas responded to Israel’s decision to delay the release of more than 600 Palestinians from Israeli jails as a “blatant violation” of the hostage and ceasefire deal.
Under the deal, Israel was supposed to release 620 Palestinians, including women and children detained in Gaza after October 7, 2023, in exchange for the six Israeli hostages Hamas handed over on Saturday.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the release was delayed over alleged Hamas “violations,” including the handover ceremonies, which he said “humiliate” the Israeli hostages.
In response, Hamas official Ezzat El Rashq said 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.”
Israel has repeatedly violated the ceasefire deal, including by continuing to shoot and bomb Palestinians in Gaza. Since the truce went into effect on January 19, Israeli forces have killed more than 100 Palestinians in the territory.
Netanyahu said that the release of the 620 Palestinians was delayed until “the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.”
The six Israelis freed by Hamas on Saturday were the last of the surviving hostages who were set to be released under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, and the progress of the negotiations on the second phase, which Israel repeatedly delayed, is unclear. Another Hamas official said on Sunday that the negotiations would be suspended until Israel released the jailed Palestinians.
Israeli media reported last week that Netanyahu had added several new demands for the second phase, including continued Israeli “security control” of Gaza and the disarmament and removal of Hamas, two conditions Hamas has strongly rejected.
Netanyahu has also been warning he’s ready to restart Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, a threat he repeated on Sunday. “We are prepared to resume intense fighting at any moment,” he said. “In Gaza, we have eliminated most of Hamas’s organized forces, but let there be no doubt — we will complete the war’s objectives entirely — whether through negotiation or by other means.”
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"more than 600 Palestinians from Israeli jails in exchange for the six Israeli captives" So the current exchange rate is one Israelian equals 100 Palestinians. Do the Palestinians realize how the are downgrading the value of their own people by making a deal like this?
Not so.
There are thousands languishing in jails, torture centers, for no reason other than being alive and being Palestinians. Even children as young as 14.
"no reason" Except for murder and terrorists attacks. But killing of Israelis is OK in your book.
Because you know the people that shoot first and ask questions later and stick electrified steel rods up people's rectums can be trusted to give all those people in their prisons a fair trial, right?
Downgrading how? Only people with sick minds would think that. What is obvious to most is the fact that there are so many "prisoners" as compared to "hostages".
All it means is that the Netanyahoo regime has far more hostages in captivity than Hamas.
The Palestinians do not see or think of it that way at all. it's Israel and its enablers are the ones who have been downgrading the Palestinians and their lives.
"The Palestinians do not see or think of it that way at all" I agree that is why they are willing to exchange the lives 50,000 Palestinians just to hold Israel hostages for this exchange. Another way of looking at it is that Palestinians got say 2000 prisoners at the cost of 50,000.
I guess they didn't think depravity could reach such levels. Israel proved them wrong. But somehow you think that is an argument that defends Israel.
Will no one rid us of this grotesque Prime Minister?"
That is putting it mildly, he is a sadistic criminal monster.
Actually I have no words for such an inhuman animal, and the people who worship him with standing ovations.
You realize of course that there are a number of even worse people waiting in the wing to take over. forgot the exact percentage right now but at one point they gave a percentage of way over 90% of Israelis supporting war against Palestinians and then some.
This from Caitlin Johnstone.com.au: https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2025/02/22/israel-pushes-new-atrocity-narrative-just-as-ceasefire-deadline-approaches/
This is news?
Israel can do what it wants because the world lets them and the US supports them.
The difference is this goes as another evidence of Israel atrocities towards Palestinians which would be recorded in unbiased history books for future generation awareness…!
Just read that Nael Obeid, a Palestinians terrorist who was exchanged for hostages last week, fell out a window in Jerusalem. Palestinians serving life for murdering Israelis and let go in the exchange probably should find a home outside of Israel.
So, are you saying an Israeli terrorist threw him out of the window? Or is that just another rule of engagement?
Jerusalem is outside Israel.
… And Hamas suspended the phase II negociations…! Did the criminal minister expect something different…?!