Postponing the prisoner exchange is a warning message from Hamas... and the occupation army is ready

Hamas confirmed on Monday evening its commitment to the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, on condition that the Israeli occupation abides by them. This came after Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, the movement’s military wing, announced the postponement of the release of the sixth batch of the prisoner exchange deal, due to Israel’s violations of the agreement.

The movement said in a statement that it had implemented all its obligations accurately and on time, but the occupation did not abide by the terms of the agreement and recorded many violations, "which included: delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip. Targeting our people with shelling and shooting, killing many of them in various areas of the Strip. Obstructing the entry of shelter requirements such as tents and prefabricated houses, fuel, and rubble-removal mechanisms to retrieve bodies. Delaying the entry of the medicines and requirements needed by hospitals to restore hospitals and the health sector."

Hamas added that it "counted the violations of the occupation and provided the mediators with them as they happened, but the occupation continued its violations," calling for "strict adherence to the agreement and not subjecting it to selectivity, by presenting the less important and delaying and obstructing the more urgent and important."

"Abu Obeida said in a statement on Telegram earlier this evening that "the handover of the Zionist prisoners who were scheduled to be released next Saturday, February 15, will be postponed until further notice, and until the occupation commits to and compensates for the past weeks retroactively, and we confirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation commits to them."

Hamas said in its statement that “postponing the release of prisoners is a warning message to the occupation, and to pressure for strict adherence to the terms of the agreement,” noting that “Hamas deliberately made this announcement five full days before the date of handing over the prisoners, in order to give the mediators sufficient opportunity to pressure the occupation to implement its obligations, and to keep the door open to implement the exchange on time if the occupation adheres to its obligations.”

Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "Israel insists on adhering to the ceasefire agreement as written and views any violation seriously," while the Israeli army radio quoted Defense Minister Yisrael Katz as saying that "Hamas' announcement is a complete violation of the agreement and I have instructed the army to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza." Netanyahu later held security consultations and decided to advance the government meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, to the morning hours.

Earlier on Monday, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz quoted an informed Israeli source as saying that "the Qataris conveyed angry messages and repeatedly stated that the agreement between Israel and Hamas also concerns them and that they are guarantors of its implementation." According to the newspaper, the Qataris added that the occupation state's behavior threatens the continued release of Israeli detainees in the first phase.

New Arab