Hamas Postpones Israeli Prisoner Release Amid Accusations of Ceasefire Violations
Al-Qassam Brigades Cite Israeli Non-Compliance as Tensions Rise Over Humanitarian Aid Restrictions in Gaza.
Watan-The spokesman for Al-Qassam Brigades, “Abu Ubaida,” announced on Monday the postponement of the release of the sixth batch of Israeli prisoners, which was scheduled for next Saturday, due to the Israeli occupation government’s failure to comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli Minister of Security stated that he had issued orders “to prepare for any scenario.”
In a statement on Telegram, Abu Ubaida said:”The resistance leadership has monitored the enemy’s violations and non-compliance with the agreement over the past three weeks, including delays in allowing displaced people to return to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire across the Strip, and failing to allow the entry of relief materials in all forms as agreed upon, while the resistance has fulfilled all its commitments.”
He added:”Accordingly, the release of the Zionist prisoners, which was scheduled for next Saturday, February 15, will be postponed until further notice, pending the occupation’s compliance and compensation for the past weeks retroactively. We reaffirm our commitment to the agreement’s terms as long as the occupation adheres to them.”
Israeli Response
On the Israeli side, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “Israel insists on adhering to the ceasefire agreement as written and takes any violation seriously.”
Israeli Army Radio quoted Security Minister Yisrael Katz as saying, “Hamas’ announcement constitutes a complete violation of the agreement, and I have issued orders to the army to be on the highest alert for any potential scenario in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that “Israel rejects Hamas’ accusations and clarifies that Hamas itself is responsible for the violations. Members of the delegation that returned from Qatar this morning claimed that Hamas’ actions put the continuation of the agreement at risk.”
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted an unnamed Israeli source familiar with the details on Monday, stating that “the Qataris have conveyed angry messages, repeatedly emphasizing that the agreement between Israel and Hamas involves them as well, and that they are its guarantors.” According to the newspaper, the Qataris also warned that Israel’s conduct threatens the continuation of the Israeli prisoner releases in the first phase.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Despite the ceasefire beginning on January 19, 2024, Israel imposed strict restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, contrary to the agreement’s terms. It obstructed the delivery of food supplies, equipment, and fuel, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Strip and increasing the suffering of its residents.
Last Friday, Salama Marouf, head of the government media office in Gaza, warned that Israel was failing to implement the provisions of the humanitarian protocol outlined in the ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Speaking at a press conference in Gaza City, Marouf stated that Israel had only complied with 10% of its commitments under the protocol.
He added that Israel was attempting to evade its obligations while the humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate. He called for the entry of 600 aid trucks per day, including 50 designated for fuel and tents, noting that Israel had not met this daily requirement. According to Marouf, only about 8,500 aid trucks entered Gaza over 20 days, out of the 12,000 that were supposed to be delivered. He also accused Israel of manipulating the contents of the shipments by sending secondary goods and snacks instead of prioritizing essential supplies.
Marouf emphasized that Gaza needs 200,000 tents and 60,000 mobile homes, but only a limited number have arrived. He also noted that only 15 fuel trucks enter Gaza daily, carrying diesel and limited amounts of gas, far below the 50 trucks stipulated in the agreement.
Furthermore, Israel has been preventing the entry of essential shelter and reconstruction materials, including power generators and equipment for repairing water networks. He warned that thousands of displaced people’s tents were flooded due to strong winds and heavy rain.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor previously reported that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen and has seen no improvement since the ceasefire agreement took effect. The ongoing restrictions on essential supplies have exacerbated Palestinian civilians’ suffering and deepened their humanitarian crisis.
In addition to blocking aid, Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians despite the ceasefire being in effect, resulting in casualties, including martyrs and the injured.
