As Israel delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners on Saturday after Gaza based Hamas militant group released six hostages, Hamas’ official Basem Naim said on Sunday that any further talks with Israel through mediators on further steps to be taken in the ceasefire agreement depends on Palestinian prisoners being released.
Delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners, Israel on Sunday said that it will not release the prisoners until Hamas met its conditions.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Tel Aviv wants to free the 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, however, its condition remains “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.”
In light of Hamas’s repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes >>
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 23, 2025
The reference of “humiliating ceremonies” was towards the handover procedure adopted by Hamas while releasing the hostages, which has also been criticised by the United Nations officials who said it went against international law because they were not respectful.
Israeli hostages, from left to right, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem and Omer Wenkert, show Hamas issued certificates on a stage after being instructed by militants, before being handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip. (AP Photo)
Citing the “barbaric treatment” of Israeli hostages by Hamas, the White House on Sunday supported the decision of Israel PM Netanyahu to delay the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners.
According to a statement from National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes, the delay to release the prisoners is an “appropriate response” to the Palestinian militant group’s treatment of the hostages. US President Donald Trump is prepared to support Israel in “whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas,” Hughes added.
Hamas has reportedly made hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and at times speak before freeing them.
“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,” Hamas official Naim said as reported by Reuters.
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