Hamas urges global pressure as Israel delays prisoners release over ‘humiliating ceremonies’

BY

Egypt Today staff

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Sun, 23 Feb 2025 - 11:01 GMT

BY

Egypt Today staff

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 - 11:01 GMT

Israel releases Palestinian prisoners as part of the captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas on Gaza – WAFA

Israel releases Palestinian prisoners as part of the captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas on Gaza – WAFA

CAIRO – 23 February 2025: As Israel postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for Saturday under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Hamas has called for the global community, particularly mediators, to exert pressure on Tel Aviv.

In recent weeks, Hamas has handed over Israeli captives to the Red Cross amid crowds of Palestinians, including women and children who have been devastated by the war, losing their families, loved ones, homes, and essential services over the past 16 months.

The captives are brought onto the stage, standing between Hamas fighters, and typically speak into microphones before they are released under the agreement, brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until "the next release of hostages is guaranteed and without the humiliating ceremonies."

Hamas condemned the Israeli announcement, stating that it reveals Tel Aviv’s "evasions of the agreement’s obligations."

Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas's political bureau, emphasized that the handover ceremonies "do not involve any humiliation of the prisoners; rather, they reflect humane and dignified treatment."

Rashq criticized the humiliation endured by Palestinian prisoners during their release from Israeli custody, noting that they suffer torture, beatings, and deliberate humiliation until their release.

He added, "Palestinian prisoners are released with their hands bound and eyes blindfolded, while their families are threatened with prohibitions on celebrating their loved ones' return."

Hamas has called on mediators and the international community to assume their responsibilities and pressure Israeli authorities to implement the agreement and release the prisoners without delay.

Rashq warned that Netanyahu's decision to delay the releases "reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, constitutes a clear violation of its terms, and demonstrates the occupation's unreliability in fulfilling its commitments."

On Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli captives from Gaza: Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, Tal Shoham, and Avera Mengistu, as part of the seventh prisoner swap under the agreement.

Over the past two days, Hamas also returned the bodies of four Israeli captives it asserted were killed by Israeli bombardment during the war, including members of the Bibas family: a mother and her two children.

In return, Israeli authorities were set to release 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees later that day, including many captured during the Gaza war that erupted in October 2023, as well as dozens serving life sentences.

This latest obstacle arises as Hamas and Israel prepare to initiate talks on advancing to the second phase of the agreement.

This upcoming phase includes a permanent cessation of the Gaza war, a full withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the release of dozens of captives still held by Hamas.

However, talks do not appear to have started, despite being scheduled for earlier this month, with the first phase set to expire in March, creating uncertainty about the future of the agreement.

Under the ceasefire, Hamas has thus far released 30 living captives taken from Israel, including Israeli civilians and soldiers, and Thai nationals.

The movement still holds 63 captives, including deceased individuals.

In return, Israel has released a total of 1,135 Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences, not including the 620 it was scheduled to release on Saturday.

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