Hamas calls on US mediators to compel Israel to act on Gaza truce
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim says Israel postponing the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners exposes “the entire agreement to grave danger”.
Naim called on the truce mediators, “especially the Americans”, to pressure Israel “to implement the agreement as it is and immediately release our prisoners”.
Hamas on Saturday freed six captives from Gaza but Israel failed to reciprocate on the truce deal. Both sides have accused each other of violations during the ceasefire but it has so far held.
Hamas official says no more talks until 620 Palestinians freed
A senior Hamas leader, Mahmoud Mardawi, says the Palestinian group will not engage in further discussions with Israel through mediators until Israel releases the 620 Palestinian prisoners supposed to be freed on Saturday.
Israel said it’s delaying the release until it gets assurances that Hamas stops what Israel calls “humiliating” handovers of captives in staged ceremonies.
Palestinian family members who waited all day and night were distraught. “What have the prisoners done? We don’t know what happened. They killed our joy,” said one mother, Najah Zaqqot.
Israeli army says it increased ‘military readiness’ around Gaza
A brief statement comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is ready to resume fighting “at any moment” in the Gaza Strip as a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel hangs by a thread.
“Following a situational assessment, it was decided to increase the operational readiness in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip,” the army statement said.
Egypt, Qatar talking to Israel to release Palestinian prisoners
Egypt and Qatar are reportedly pressing Israel to release the 620 Palestinian prisoners it promised to after Hamas released six captives from Gaza, a news report says.
Egypt refused to discuss any Israeli demands before then, an unnamed Egyptian official involved in the talks told The Associated Press.
Palestinian families are devastated after the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office postponed the release of the Palestinian prisoners, accusing Hamas of “provocative ceremonies” with “rituals of humiliation”.
Hamas says the delay is a “blatant breach” of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
