Truce in grave danger after Israel delays prisoner swap
US expects phase two of Gaza ceasefire deal to proceed
Published: 06:02 PM,Feb 23,2025 | EDITED : 10:02 PM,Feb 23,2025
Palestinian families react after Israel delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners, scheduled to be released in the seventh hostage-prisoner exchange, in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah early on February 23, 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on February 23 that freeing Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal will be delayed until Hamas ends "humiliating ceremonies" it holds while handing over Israeli hostages. Israeli authorities had delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners due Saturday in exchange for six hostages freed from Gaza, prompting Palestinian militant group Hamas to accuse Israel of a "blatant violation" of the truce deal. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
GAZA: Hamas on Sunday said Israel has gravely endangered a five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners under the deal because of the manner it has freed Israeli captives.
The first phase of the truce ends early in March and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed.
With tensions again hanging over the deal, which halted more than 15 months of war, Israel on Sunday announced an expansion of military operations in the occupied West Bank.
The military said a tank division will be sent into the West Bank city of Jenin, the first such deployment to the territory in 20 years.
Since the Gaza ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released 25 living Israeli captives in ceremonies before crowds at various locations in Gaza.
Armed masked fighters escort the captives onto stages adorned with slogans.
The Red Cross has previously appealed to 'all parties' for the swaps to be carried out in a 'dignified and private' manner.
In the seventh such transfer, Hamas released six Israeli captives on Saturday but Israel put off the planned release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said postponing the release exposes 'the entire agreement to grave danger'.
Naim said the mediators, 'especially the Americans', must pressure Israel's government 'to implement the agreement as it is and immediately release our prisoners.'
Both sides have accused each other of violations during the ceasefire but it has so far held.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday the US expects the second phase of the ceasefire deal to go forward and that he would visit the Middle East this week.
Witkoff made the comments in a CNN 'State of the Union' interview after being asked about Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and how he expected the ceasefire to be impacted by developments in the region.
'We have to get an extension of phase one,' Witkoff said. 'I'll be going to the region this week, probably on Wednesday, to negotiate that.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday Israel was waiting to deliver 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees 'until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.' Hamas handed over six hostages from Gaza on Saturday. — Agencies
The first phase of the truce ends early in March and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed.
With tensions again hanging over the deal, which halted more than 15 months of war, Israel on Sunday announced an expansion of military operations in the occupied West Bank.
The military said a tank division will be sent into the West Bank city of Jenin, the first such deployment to the territory in 20 years.
Since the Gaza ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released 25 living Israeli captives in ceremonies before crowds at various locations in Gaza.
Armed masked fighters escort the captives onto stages adorned with slogans.
The Red Cross has previously appealed to 'all parties' for the swaps to be carried out in a 'dignified and private' manner.
In the seventh such transfer, Hamas released six Israeli captives on Saturday but Israel put off the planned release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said postponing the release exposes 'the entire agreement to grave danger'.
Naim said the mediators, 'especially the Americans', must pressure Israel's government 'to implement the agreement as it is and immediately release our prisoners.'
Both sides have accused each other of violations during the ceasefire but it has so far held.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday the US expects the second phase of the ceasefire deal to go forward and that he would visit the Middle East this week.
Witkoff made the comments in a CNN 'State of the Union' interview after being asked about Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and how he expected the ceasefire to be impacted by developments in the region.
'We have to get an extension of phase one,' Witkoff said. 'I'll be going to the region this week, probably on Wednesday, to negotiate that.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday Israel was waiting to deliver 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees 'until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.' Hamas handed over six hostages from Gaza on Saturday. — Agencies