Under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Israel has released 46 more Palestinians, most of whom are minors.
The released Palestinians received a grand welcome upon their arrival in Khan Yunis.
Meanwhile Israeli, American, and Qatari delegations have arrived in Cairo for further negotiations to finalize the strategy of the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
According to media reports, negotiators will also discuss the implementation of agreements and ways to provide humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Earlier Hamas has declared that it will not negotiate a ceasefire with Israel unless all 620 Palestinian prisoners are released.
By this announcement from Hamas, the already tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas put in danger.
Hamas spokeswoman Basem Naim told to a media outlet that unless Israel fulfills its commitment, Hamas would not take part in mediated negotiations.
Furthermore, Naim stated, “Any dialogue with the enemy through mediators regarding future steps is contingent on the release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners, as agreed upon in exchange for the four bodies and six Israeli captives freed on Saturday” .
Negotiations were halted after Israel decided to delay the planned release of Palestinian prisoners. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained the postponement by citing the “humiliating celebrations” that occurred in Gaza after an earlier prisoner exchange.
However, the Israeli government did not provide a revised release timeframe.
Israel’s decision to postpone the release has received support from the US. Postponing the release of the prisoners was a “suitable reaction” from Israel, according to a statement from White House National Security Council spokeswoman Brian Hughes. He went on to say that this was the proper response to Hamas’ savage treatment of Israeli hostages.
Hughes continued that President Trump is prepared to support Israel “in whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas.”
Meanwhile Hamas has called on mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, to ensure Israel abides by the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Mahmoud Mardawi, a senior Hamas commander, repeated his comments, stating that all talks are formally suspended until the Palestinian prisoners are freed.
The most recent deadlock jeopardizes the tenuous ceasefire, which has allowed both sides to swap prisoners thus far but is still quite precarious.
