Hamas: Talks with Israel suspended unless Palestinian prisoners are released

Last Updated on February 25, 2025 6:29 am

The Palestinian militant group Hamas said it would suspend talks with Israel if it did not release 602 Palestinian prisoners.

The release was in exchange for the release of six Israeli prisoners from Gaza on Saturday (February 22).

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi made the announcement in a statement on the social media platform Telegram on Sunday (February 23).

He said Israel should fulfill its previous promise and release 620 Palestinian prisoners.

He asked mediators to pressure Israel. Egypt and Qatar are pressuring Israel to release the 620 Palestinian prisoners who were promised to be released.

An Egyptian official told the AP that Egypt would not discuss any other Israeli demands until the Palestinian prisoners are released.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah and in the city of Kan Yunis, families who had waited in the cold for hours were left dismayed when the Israeli prime minister’s office announced the delay in the release.

Hamas called the move a clear violation of the ceasefire and said it would suspend talks if Israel did not release the prisoners.

The White House said on Sunday it supported Israel’s decision to delay the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners who were due to be released.

National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said President Donald Trump was ready to support Israel in any action against Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the prisoner releases would be delayed until Hamas stopped its celebrations during the release of Israeli prisoners.

Hamas called the delay a clear violation of the agreement and accused Netanyahu of using obstruction and delay tactics.