In the context of the seventh prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel, 6 Israeli prisoners were released. While Hamas fulfilled its part of the agreement, Israel announced the postponement of the release of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas stated that Israel’s decision to postpone was “an indication of avoiding commitments and delaying the process.”

Hamas Political Bureau Member Izzat al-Rishk commented on the postponement of the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel.

In a written statement, it was emphasized that Israel’s reasoning that the “handover ceremony was humiliating” did not reflect the truth. Rishk highlighted that this was a weak excuse put forward to avoid the agreement.

“TRUE HUMILIATION IS DONE TO PALESTINIAN PRISONERS” The statement indicated that the handover ceremonies were not humiliating for Israeli prisoners but, on the contrary, carried out in a humanitarian framework. Rishk drew attention to the real humiliation faced by Palestinian prisoners in the process of being released, which included violence, torture, and deliberate mistreatment. Rishk noted that Palestinian prisoners were released with handcuffed hands and blindfolded, and their families were threatened not to hold welcome ceremonies.

“NETANYAHU INTENTIONALLY OBSTRUCTING THE AGREEMENT” The Hamas official stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners was an intentional attempt to obstruct the agreement, constituting a clear violation of the agreement terms.

ISRAEL’S POSTPONEMENT DECISION Israel violated the agreement by not releasing Palestinian prisoners. Despite Hamas releasing 6 Israeli prisoners in the seventh round of the prisoner exchange in Gaza Strip, Israel announced the suspension of the release of Palestinian prisoners. In a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, it was reported that the release of Palestinian prisoners was suspended due to the reasoning that they were being utilized for ceremonies demeaning Israeli prisoners and propaganda purposes.

602 PALESTINIANS STILL HELD CAPTIVE The statement declared that “602 Palestinian prisoners” would not be released until the delivery of other Israeli prisoners in Gaza Strip is ensured and deliveries are made without ceremonies. A statement from the Prisoners Media Office affiliated with Hamas had announced that Israel would release 620 Palestinian prisoners, 151 of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment and heavy sentences.