White House supports decision to suspend Palestinian prisoner release
Last Updated on February 25, 2025 6:24 am
The White House has backed the Israeli government’s decision to suspend the release of Palestinian prisoners. The US government said on Sunday that the move was in response to Hamas’ “barbaric treatment” of Israeli prisoners.
Israel said it had suspended plans to release 620 Palestinian prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for six hostages. It said it had received the six hostages on Saturday but was not releasing the Palestinian prisoners.
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement that “given Hamas’ barbaric treatment and the humiliation of Israeli prisoners, this suspension is an appropriate response.”
He added that “President Donald Trump is prepared to take any action Israel deems necessary against Hamas.”
The Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement went into effect last month, halting Israel’s genocidal war. The war has killed more than 48,300 people, most of them women and children, and the Gaza Strip has been devastated.
However, the White House’s support will only exacerbate the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, which the international community is seeking to defuse in various ways. On the one hand, the Israeli army’s brutal campaign in the West Bank and on the other, the drama surrounding the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which has further complicated the situation.
Hamas has strongly condemned Israel’s move to suspend the release of prisoners. Hamas officials have warned that the move could jeopardize future talks and the ceasefire agreement.