Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delays the discharge till Hamas ends its ‘humiliating ceremonies’ whereas releasing Israeli captives.
Israel has postponed the discharge of 620 Palestinian prisoners till the following launch of the remaining captives in Gaza is assured, with Hamas denouncing the transfer as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire settlement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday mentioned releasing Palestinians underneath the deal can be delayed till Hamas ends its “humiliating ceremonies” whereas releasing Israeli captives, issuing a brand new demand not spelt out within the ceasefire settlement.
“In gentle of Hamas’ repeated violations – together with the disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda – it has been determined to delay the discharge of terrorists that was deliberate for yesterday [Saturday] till the discharge of the following hostages is ensured, with out the humiliating ceremonies,” Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned in a press release.
Hamas on Saturday upheld its aspect of the deal by releasing six Israeli captives from Gaza, the final group of residing captives to be freed underneath the ceasefire’s first section.
Hamas accused Netanyahu of enjoying “soiled video games to sabotage and undermine” the ceasefire.
“Over 100 Palestinians have been killed within the first section [of the ceasefire], a lot of the agreed humanitarian assist was not allowed into Gaza, and the withdrawal from the Netzarim Hall was postponed,” Basem Naim, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, informed Al Jazeera on Saturday, referring to the militarised zone that divides Gaza into north and south.
“We’re dedicated to the deal, and we’ve abided by all our obligations,” he mentioned.
For the reason that ceasefire got here into impact on January 19, Hamas has launched 25 Israeli captives in high-profile handovers, with masked fighters parading the captives on stage. The ceasefire deal doesn’t categorically outline how Hamas and Israel ought to launch the Israeli captives and the Palestinian prisoners.
Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, Jordan, mentioned Israel’s determination to delay the discharge of the Palestinian prisoners was issued by Netanyahu towards the advice of Israel’s safety institution.
“There are plenty of questions and plenty of dashed hopes, in addition to plenty of work for the mediators, who’ve been working for the discharge of the Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives,” Odeh mentioned.
In Gaza and the occupied West Financial institution, Palestinian households waited for hours on Saturday for his or her family members to be launched from Israeli prisons. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society advocacy group mentioned Israel would free 620 inmates, most of them from Gaza who have been taken into custody throughout the battle.
“We now have been sitting in our chairs ready for a lot of hours, however after many hours, nothing. However what else can we do?” Khaled Khalil al-Jabarin, uncle of a detainee, informed Al Jazeera.
Shireen al-Hamamreh, sister of one other Palestinian prisoner, informed Al Jazeera it was a “very troublesome” wait.
“We watch for them, to hug them, and see them, however Netanyahu is at all times stalling,” mentioned Fatiha Abu Abdullah, a mom within the southern Gaza metropolis of Khan Younis.
“God keen, they are going to be launched quickly.”
