Hamas official: Continued Gaza ceasefire, hostage exchange depend on Israel’s actions

The continued implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, along with the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, is now entirely dependent on Israel's actions, according to Hussam Badran, a senior member of the Hamas politburo based in Qatar.

“The agreement is clear [in] all provisions and details. The problem is related to the violations and abuses committed by the occupation authorities during the implementation,” Badran said in a phone interview with Russian media, per Caliber.Az.

He went on to confirm that, "the ball is definitely on Israel's side."

Badran also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming that Netanyahu is attempting to manipulate and evade the terms of the agreement. “Netanyahu is trying to manipulate and evade [the terms] that are spelled out in the agreement,” Badran stated.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to securing the return of all hostages held by militants in Gaza. This came after representatives from Kibbutz Kissufim reported the death of 86-year-old Shlomo Mansour, who had been kidnapped on October 7, 2023, by Palestinian militants. In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu wrote, “We (Israel) will continue to act decisively and tirelessly until we return all our hostages - both alive and dead.” He expressed his condolences to Mansour’s family, describing the news of his death as “bitter” and noting that Mansour was one of the founding members of Kibbutz Kissufim.

On February 10, Abu Ubaidah, a spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, announced that the release of another group of hostages, scheduled for February 15, had been postponed. This delay, according to Hamas, was due to Israel’s violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas claimed Israel breached the agreement by “delaying the return of displaced persons from the south of the enclave to the north, opening fire on Gaza residents, and failing to deliver all types of humanitarian aid in the required amounts.” Abu Ubaidah emphasized that Hamas had “fully complied with their obligations” under the agreement and remained committed to its terms, as long as Israel also adhered to them.

The ceasefire in Gaza, which began on January 19, is designed to last 42 days for the first phase of the agreement. During this time, Hamas is expected to release at least 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

By Tamilla Hasanova