The military spokesman for the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas announced on Monday the suspension of the Zionist tprisoners release operations until a further notice.
Abu Obeidah indicated that the enemy’s violations of the ceasefire and failure to fulfill its obligations under the agreement are behind Hamas decision.
“Over the past three weeks, the resistance leadership has monitored the enemy’s violations and failure to fulfill its obligations under the agreement; including the delay in allowing the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, targeting them with direct shelling and gunfire in various areas across Gaza, and denying relief supplies of all kinds to enter as agreed, while the resistance has implemented all its obligations.”
Therefore, the release of the Zionist prisoners next Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice, and until the occupation commits to and provides compensation for the entitlements of the past weeks retroactively, Abu Obeidah added.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement, as long as the occupation remains committed to them,” Abu Obeidah concluded.
On Saturday, February 8, the 21st day of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the “Al-Qassam Brigades”, Hamas military wing, handed over three Zionist prisoners to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah. This handover marked the “fifth batch” in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, exchanged for the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners by the occupation entity.
Hamas affirmed that it has fully met all its obligations within the agreed timelines, noting the occupation’s failure to uphold the terms of the agreement and committing multiple violations.
In a statement, the movement outlined the violations, which include delays in the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, targeting Palestinians with airstrikes and gunfire—resulting in the killing of tens across the Strip—and obstructing the entry of essential shelter materials such as tents, prefabricated homes, fuel, and rubble removal equipment needed to retrieve bodies.
The violations also included delays in the entry of much-needed medical supplies and equipment for hospital repairs and the healthcare sector.
Hamas also stated that it has documented the occupation’s breaches and continuously updated mediators on them, but to no avail, calling for strict adherence to the agreement, warning against selective implementation by prioritizing less critical aspects while delaying and obstructing the most urgent and essential ones.
It emphasized that postponing the release of captives serves as a warning and a means to pressure the occupation into fully complying with the agreement.
Hamas clarified that the announcement—made five days before the scheduled prisoner exchange—is intended to give mediators ample time to pressure the regime into fulfilling its obligations while keeping the door open for the exchange to proceed on time, provided the occupation abides by the agreement.