Latest news with #EzzatElRashq
Arab News
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Hamas says Israel's claim on hostages' handover ceremony is pretext to evade Gaza truce obligations
DUBAI: Hamas on Sunday condemned Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, saying its claim that the hostages' handover ceremonies are 'humiliating' was false and a pretext to evade Israel's obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 'Netanyahu's decision reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, represents a clear violation of its terms, and shows the occupation's lack of reliability in implementing its obligations,' Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement. Israel said earlier it was delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners it had planned to free the day before until Hamas met its conditions, underscoring the fragility of the Gaza ceasefire accord. Netanyahu's office released a statement in the early hours of Sunday saying that Israel was waiting to deliver the 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees 'until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.' Hamas' El Rashq said the ceremonies do not include any insult to the hostages, 'but rather reflect the humane and dignified treatment of them,' adding that the 'real insult' is what the Palestinian prisoners are subjected to during the release process. The Palestinian militant group official cited the hands' tying of the Palestinian prisoners and detainees and their blindfolding and threatening them not to hold any celebrations for their release as examples of their humiliation at the hands of Israeli authorities. Hamas has made hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and sometimes speak before they were handed over. Coffins with hostage remains have also been carried through crowds. Israel's announcement, which also accused Hamas of repeatedly violating the month-old ceasefire, came after the Palestinian militant group on Saturday handed over six hostages from Gaza as part of an exchange arranged under the truce. The six hostages freed on Saturday were the last living Israeli captives due to be handed over during the first phase of the ceasefire. The bodies of four dead Israeli hostages were to be released next week.
Russia Today
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release over ‘humiliating' hostage ceremonies
Israel has postponed the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners, accusing Hamas of conducting 'humiliating' ceremonies during hostage handovers in a move which has been seen as a challenge to the ceasefire agreement. Israel had originally planned to release 620 Palestinians after Hamas freed six Israeli hostages on Saturday. But West Jerusalem has expressed discontent with the practice of masked members of the group parading Israeli prisoners in front of crowds. In a statement on Sunday, the Office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of 'repeated violations' of the ceasefire agreement, 'including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes.' In light of this, the office added, 'it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured and without the humiliating ceremonies.' As a result, while the Palestinian captives have already reportedly boarded buses to leave Israel's Ofer prison in the West Bank, they were ordered to disembark, with questions lingering about whether the landmark ceasefire between Hamas and the Jewish state, which had the exchange as one of its key points, would hold. In response, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, accused Netanyahu of a 'deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement.' The delay, he added, 'represents a clear violation of [the agreement's] terms, and shows the occupation's lack of reliability in implementing its obligations.' Officials from the militant group also insist that the release ceremonies are being conducted with dignity. The current ceasefire, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, was established in mid-January after 15 months of intense conflict that resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza. The agreement includes provisions for the step-by-step exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as the facilitation of humanitarian aid into the region, and should result in Israel's withdrawal from the enclave.
Morocco World
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Israel Postpones Seventh Palestinian Prisoners' Release
Rabat – Israel announced today that it will delay the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that releasing Palestinians would be postponed until, citing Hamas' 'humiliating ceremonies' while releasing Israeli hostages. Netanyahu's decision comes after Hamas showed commitment to the truce, releasing six Israeli hostages from Gaza, the last group of living hostages to be freed under the first phase of the ceasefire. In a statement on their reason for the decision, Israel cited 'repeated violations' that they accused Hamas of committing, including 'the disgraceful ceremonies that dishonor our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda.' One of the Israeli hostages released yesterday appeared kissing the forehead of a Hamas member on the podium at the handover point, a point that could be the reason why Netanyahu decided to describe the ceremonies as 'humiliating.' In response, Hamas described Netanyahu's move as a 'blatant violation' of the ceasefire agreement, describing his claims of 'humiliating ceremonies' as false. Read also: Freed Palestinians Tell Stories of Inhumane Conditions in Israeli Prisons A member of Hamas' political bureau Ezzat El Rashq condemned the decision of the Israeli Prime Minister, describing it as 'a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement.' The Palestinian group further said that the postponement 'shows the occupation's lack of reliability in implementing its obligations' and abiding by the agreements' terms. The Hamas bureau further said that Israel seems to be playing 'dirty games to sabotage and undermine' the deal ahead of the second round of the negotiation. The disappointing and drastic change comes as Palestinian families were anxiously waiting yesterday for the release of their loved ones from Israeli prisons. While Hamas has shown commitment to the deal's terms, Israel's decision reflects its willingness to shatter Palestinians' hopes to advance to the next stage of the ceasefire in Gaza. The move reveals Israel's strategic interests aimed at paving the way for imposing new terms during the next stage of the deal. Tags: Benjamin NetanyahuGaza ceasefireHamas and Israelprisoner swap
Dubai Eye
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
Hamas says Israel's ceremonies claim is pretext to evade obligations
Hamas has condemned Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, saying its claim that the hostages' handover ceremonies are "humiliating" was false and a pretext to evade Israel's obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. "Netanyahu's decision reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, represents a clear violation of its terms, and shows the occupation's lack of reliability in implementing its obligations," Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement. Israel said earlier it was delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners it had planned to free the day before until Hamas met its conditions, underscoring the fragility of the Gaza ceasefire accord. Netanyahu's office released a statement in the early hours of Sunday saying that Israel was waiting to deliver the 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees "until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies." Hamas' El Rashq said the ceremonies do not include any insult to the hostages, "but rather reflect the humane and dignified treatment of them", adding that the "real insult" is what the Palestinian prisoners are subjected to during the release process. The Palestinian group official cited the hands' tying of the Palestinian prisoners and detainees and their blindfolding and threatening them not to hold any celebrations for their release as examples of their humiliation at the hands of Israeli authorities. Hamas has made hostages appear on stage in front of crowds and sometimes speak before they were handed over. Coffins with hostage remains have also been carried through crowds. Israel's announcement, which also accused Hamas of repeatedly violating the month-old ceasefire, came after the Palestinian group on Saturday handed over six hostages from Gaza as part of an exchange arranged under the truce. The six hostages freed on Saturday were the last living Israeli captives due to be handed over during the first phase of the ceasefire. The bodies of four dead Israeli hostages were to be released next week.
Reuters
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Hamas says Israel's claim on hostages' handover ceremony is pretext to evade its obligations
DUBAI, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Hamas on Sunday condemned Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, saying its claim that the hostages' handover ceremonies are "humiliating" was false and a pretext to evade Israel's obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu's decision reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, represents a clear violation of its terms, and shows the occupation's lack of reliability in implementing its obligations," Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement.
