Washington: The White House expressed its support for Israel’s decision to postpone the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, attributing this action to the “barbaric treatment” of Israeli captives by Hamas, as reported by Al Jazeera. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes described the delay as an “appropriate response.”
President Donald Trump is ready to back Israel in any actions it decides to take against Hamas. Meanwhile, two senior Hamas leaders announced that the group would not engage in further discussions with Israel through mediators until the promised release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners occurs. This statement comes amid troubled Gaza truce talks, with Hamas halting negotiations until the prisoners are freed.
Israel’s decision to delay the release follows Hamas’s release of six Israeli captives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the captive handover ceremonies in Gaza as “humiliating,” accusing Hamas of using the captives for propaganda. Aid organizations have raised concerns about Israel’s failure to fulfill its commitments under the initial phase of the ceasefire.
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society has condemned Israel’s actions, labeling them as “state terrorism against the prisoners and their families” due to the failure to release the 620 inmates as agreed. Egypt and Qatar are reportedly urging Israel to honor its promise regarding the prisoners.
Additionally, Netanyahu faced criticism during a military graduation ceremony when he displayed a photo of captives Shiri Bibas and her young sons, Ariel and Kfir, whose remains were returned from Gaza last week. Audience members shouted accusations of shame and questioned why they weren’t saved. Netanyahu responded by stating that Israel is prepared to resume intensive combat at any time, asserting that operational plans are in place. He vowed that all hostages would return home and declared that Hamas would not govern Gaza, which he stated would be demilitarized and stripped of its fighting capabilities.