Hamas Halts Release of Prisoners Indefinitely Citing ‘israeli’ Breaches of Gaza Ceasefire Accord

On Monday, the spokesperson for Hamas, the Palestinian Resistance Movement, declared the temporary halt of operations concerning the release of Israeli prisoners, with the suspension remaining in effect until further notice.

Hamas has attributed its decision to the ongoing ceasefire violations and non-compliance with the agreement by the opposing side, as stated by Abu Obeidah.

In a statement issued today, the resistance leadership has reported ongoing breaches of the agreement by the opposing forces over the last three weeks. They accuse the adversary of delaying the repatriation of displaced individuals to northern Gaza, engaging in direct shelling and gunfire in several regions of the Gaza Strip, and blocking the entry of promised relief supplies. Meanwhile, the resistance claims to have adhered to all of its commitments under the agreement.

The release of the Zionist prisoners, initially scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025, has been deferred indefinitely, according to a statement by Abu Obeidah. The decision comes amid ongoing demands for the occupying forces to fulfill their obligations and provide retroactive compensation for entitlements from previous weeks.

Abu Obeidah reiterated the group’s dedication to adhering to the agreement’s terms, provided that the occupying forces uphold their side of the commitment.

On Saturday, February 8, marking the 21st day since the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military faction of Hamas, transferred custody of three Israeli captives to the International Red Cross in Deir al-Balah. This exchange is part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, representing the “fifth batch” of captives handed over, and facilitated the release of dozens of Palestinian detainees by Israel.