This morning, Saturday, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, handed over six Israeli detainees as part of the seventh batch in the first phase of the prisoner and detainee exchange process in the Gaza Strip. The detainees were released in different locations: two in Rafah, three in the Nuseirat refugee camp, and one, Hisham al-Sayed, in Gaza City. The handover was carried out quietly, without any public celebrations.
In contrast, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that Israel has postponed the release of Palestinian detainees, which was scheduled as part of the same exchange agreement. The release, which was to include 602 Palestinian prisoners, was delayed pending security consultations held by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening. These discussions are focused on the upcoming negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza agreement.
The postponement follows a previous announcement from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office, which had confirmed that 602 prisoners would be released today.
Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou explained that the seventh exchange marks a continued effort by Hamas to pressure Israel into fulfilling its obligations under the agreement. He stressed that the ongoing exchanges are a result of Hamas’ determination to force Israel into compliance and fulfill all terms of the deal. Al-Qanou also called for the international community to apply pressure on Israel to implement the humanitarian protocol, which would allow for the delivery of aid and supplies to the people of Gaza, who continue to face dire conditions.
“33 days have passed since the first phase, and yet the occupation has failed to complete all terms of the agreement,” al-Qanou said. “We are ready to continue the exchange process, but the completion of future exchanges depends on Israel’s adherence to the agreement and the end of the conflict.”
Regarding the broader situation, al-Qanou reiterated Hamas’ commitment to a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, emphasizing that any future exchanges must be linked to a final peace agreement that includes the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
In related news, former US President Donald Trump criticized Egypt and Jordan for rejecting his Gaza peace plan, despite receiving significant US financial support. Trump expressed his surprise in an interview on Fox News Radio, noting that his plan for Gaza, which he believes would succeed, had been dismissed by the two nations. He stated that he would not impose his plan but would recommend it as a solution, asserting that the US would take control of the region and work towards its development once Hamas is eliminated.
