Decision comes after Israel delayed the planned release of Palestinian detainees
Hamas Suspends Ceasefire Negotiations Over Prisoner Release Dispute. The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faced a significant setback on Sunday after Hamas announced it would halt all further negotiations unless Israel releases 620 Palestinian prisoners as previously agreed. This development comes after Israel delayed the release of the detainees, citing what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “humiliating ceremonies” in Gaza following prior prisoner exchanges. The Israeli government has not provided a new timeline for the release.
Hamas official Basem Naim emphasized that any further talks with Israel, even through mediators, are conditional on the release of the prisoners, as agreed upon in exchange for Israeli captives and bodies.
In response to the delay, the White House expressed its support for Israel’s decision, calling it an “appropriate response” due to the treatment of Israeli captives by Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas has urged mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, to ensure Israel complies with the terms of the truce.
The standoff over the prisoner release threatens to unravel the already fragile ceasefire, which has involved reciprocal exchanges of captives between the two sides but remains precarious.
