According to the Israeli press, the crisis that emerged during the continuation of the prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas is on the path to resolution. Threats from Israel and the United States towards Hamas continue. Mediating countries have intensified negotiations to prevent the ceasefire from being broken.

An article from the Israeli press, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported, “Following Hamas announcing the suspension of releasing prisoners, the crisis that erupted in the prisoner exchange agreement seems to be heading towards resolution.” The news also stated that the release of 3 Israeli prisoners is expected on Saturday, February 16th. An unnamed Israeli official was quoted by the newspaper as saying that Israel and Hamas want the first phase of the agreement to be successful, with messages from Hamas signaling their readiness to continue the agreement. The Israeli official also noted that the threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to “open the gates of hell” if all prisoners are not released by Hamas on Saturday “puts Israel in a dilemma.” Israeli Channel 12 TV News reported that various international organizations are expected to deliver fuel and medical equipment to the Gaza Strip today. The news suggested that the prisoner exchange agreement could be completed.

CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE

Egyptian and Qatari officials are conducting shuttle diplomacy between Hamas and Israel to prevent the ceasefire from breaking. Mediators have increased pressure on both sides in the name of ceasefire. There is also ongoing communication with the Trump administration. According to the Israeli press, a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. An Egyptian official speaking to the Associated Press stated that the two sides are close to an agreement. According to reports, Israel has committed to allowing more tents, shelters, and equipment to enter the Gaza Strip.

HAMAS DECIDES TO SUSPEND PRISONER EXCHANGE

Hamas’ military wing, The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced yesterday that the prisoner exchange expected to take place on February 15th was suspended due to Israel not fulfilling its commitments in the ceasefire agreement. The announcement mentioned that the decision to suspend the exchange was made 5 days before the scheduled date to pressure Israel to abide by the ceasefire terms.

TRUMP’S SATURDAY THREAT

U.S. President Trump stated that if all prisoners in Gaza are not released by Saturday noon, the ceasefire should be canceled, saying “Then let Armageddon take place”.

NETANYAHU: CEASEFIRE WILL END, CONFLICTS WILL BEGIN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened that if Israeli captives are not released, “the ceasefire will end and violent attacks will begin,” ordering the army to send reinforcement troops into and around Gaza.

A similar threat also came from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, saying, “If hostages are not released as promised, the Gates of Hell will open.”

ISRAELI MEDIA SUGGESTS INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HOSTAGES TO BE RELEASED

Israeli Channel 12 TV also claimed that Tel Aviv will demand an increase in the number of Israeli hostages to be released in the first stage of the ceasefire agreement.

CEASEFIRE AND PRISONER EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement reached between Hamas and Israel went into effect at 12:15 PM on Sunday, January 19th. In the first four rounds of the prisoner exchange, 583 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and 13 Israelis and 5 Thais in Gaza were released. According to the three-stage ceasefire agreement, over 1900 Palestinians and 33 Israelis are expected to be released in the first 42-day stage.