Gaza captives Hamas' leverage to push 'Israel' back to talks: Source

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
14 Feb 2025 00:01

A senior Palestinian official tells Al Mayadeen that Hamas views the failure to resume negotiations regarding phase two of the agreement as clear evidence of a shift in "Israel’s" position.

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Palestinians gather as Hamas fighters escort Red Cross vehicles carrying Israeli captives Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy, after being handed over in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 8, 2025. (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is evading engagement in phase two of the Gaza ceasefire-prisoner exchange deal, relying on US support and President Donald Trump's plan to displace Gaza's population, a senior Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen on Thursday.

The official pointed out that the Israeli delegation that arrived in the Qatari capital Doha did not bring any new proposals regarding the negotiations but merely handed over a list of captives still held by the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas.

The Palestinian group views the failure to resume negotiations regarding phase two of the agreement—originally scheduled to begin a week ago—as clear evidence of a shift in "Israel’s" position, which now hinges on disregarding this stage entirely, the official told Al Mayadeen.

However, the senior Palestinian official explained that the captives still held by Hamas are a powerful card, which it maintains in Gaza, thus forcing the Israeli occupation to resume the second phase of negotiations.

Elsewhere, the official emphasized that the United States is exerting no pressure on "Israel" to resume the negotiations.

The current fragile ceasefire agreement is at risk of being jeopardized in recent days, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Tuesday that the bombardment of Gaza would resume if captives were not released by Saturday.

His statement matched that of US President Donald Trump, who warned a day earlier that "all hell" would break out if Hamas did not release "all" Israeli captives by Saturday.

This comes after the spokesperson for the Martyr Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced that the captive exchange set for February 15 has been postponed until further notice, due to the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

The violations include Palestinians being shot at, tanks trespassing the permitted distance, and preventing the entry of heavy equipment, medical supplies, and caravans.

Hamas had been set to release captives on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but the group now demands that "Israel" fulfill its obligations and compensate for its violations before the process can continue.

Hamas: Egypt, Qatar efforts to mend ceasefire deal successful

Earlier on Thursday, Palestinian sources said Egyptian-Qatari efforts succeeded in overcoming the obstacles that were "hindering the completion of the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement," adding that mediators' communications guaranteed the commitment of the parties involved in the ceasefire.

"The indicators are positive regarding the Israeli occupation's commitment to the ceasefire," Hamas spokesperson Abdullatif al-Qanou' told Al Mayadeen, adding that the Palestinian group is "ready to resume the prisoner exchange next Saturday if the occupation adheres to the agreement."

He emphasized that a Hamas envoy met with Egyptian officials to resolve the obstacles the occupation is placing to collapse the ceasefire agreement, underscoring that the group isn't responsible for the collapse of the agreement and is fully committed to the ceasefire's terms and forcing the Israeli side to adhere by it.

Hamas released a statement saying the discussions were held in a positive mindset and were focused on the importance of applying all the terms of the ceasefire, especially the terms connected to providing shelter, caravans, heavy machinery, and medical supplies.