Hamas Condemns Israeli Delay in Release of Palestinian Prisoners

IQNA – Hamas denounced the Zionist regime for delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners despite the fact that the resistance movement handed over Israeli captives as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

“We strongly condemn the occupation regime’s decision to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners. This decision shows the regime’s reneging on its commitments,” said Izzat al-Risheq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau.

He said the Israeli regime's pretext that the way its captives have been released was insulting is baseless and an excuse to evade the obligations of the agreement.

Not only there was no insult to Israeli prisoners, but they were treated humanely and in a dignified manner, he stated.

The real insult was the way Israel treated Palestinian prisoners until the last moment before their release, he said.

It came after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to delay the release of the seventh group of Palestinian prisoners on Saturday.

Reports said Netanyahu was expected to hold consultations to discuss the next steps, with a focus on securing the return of all Israeli captives, both living and deceased.

A final decision on whether to proceed with the release of 602 Palestinian prisoners would depend on the outcome of the meeting, according to the reports.

Officials said the discussions would examine the next phase of the prisoner exchange and whether to proceed with the scheduled releases.

Four Israeli captives are still due to be released under this phase.

The delay has sparked frustration among families of Israeli captives, who are organizing protests to urge the regime to honor the agreement and proceed with the planned prisoner releases.

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