Hamas addressed the Israelis, stating: "Either they will receive their prisoners in coffins because of Netanyahu's arrogance, or they will embrace them alive in compliance with the resistance’s conditions."
اضافة اعلان
On Saturday, Hamas affirmed its readiness to transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, warning of the "arrogance" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has led to the deaths of several Israeli prisoners held by Hamas.
This statement was made in a press release issued by Hamas, coinciding with the completion of a prisoner swap process that involved six Israeli prisoners. This is the seventh batch in the ongoing prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel under the first phase of the agreement.
Hamas stated: "We confirm our readiness to move to the second phase of the agreement, and our preparedness to complete a comprehensive prisoner exchange process, ensuring a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of the occupation (Israeli forces)."
It considered the completion of the prisoner swap of six individuals on that day as further proof of the resistance’s commitment to the agreement, while noting Israel's continued "delaying" of fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.
The statement added: "It has become clear to the Zionist public that they will either receive their prisoners in coffins, as happened on Thursday, because of Netanyahu's arrogance, or they will embrace them alive in compliance with the resistance’s conditions."
Hamas also warned Tel Aviv against attempts to renege on the agreement, reaffirming that the "only way for the prisoners to return to their families is through negotiations and a sincere commitment to the terms of the agreement."
Furthermore, Hamas highlighted that the Israeli occupation’s prevention of the families of expelled prisoners from traveling reveals the enemy's barbarism and violation of international humanitarian agreements, confirming Israel’s defeat in the face of the will of the Palestinian people and their resistance.
In January 2025, a ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange deal came into effect, consisting of three phases, each lasting 42 days. The first phase includes gradual releases of 33 Israelis held in Gaza, either alive or as corpses, in exchange for approximately 1,700-2,000 Palestinian and Arab detainees.
Regarding the prisoner swap that took place on Saturday, Hamas described the scene of delivering the Israeli prisoners as "a majestic national moment, reflecting the unity of our people and factions, while the occupation is experiencing fragmentation and mutual accusations," referencing the internal Israeli dissatisfaction after receiving the bodies of four of their prisoners, including a baby and a child, who were killed due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
Hamas emphasized that Netanyahu’s attempts to escape his army’s defeat in Gaza by committing massacres in the occupied West Bank "will not break the will of our people and resistance."
The statement continued: "Our Palestinian people and their steadfast resistance, led by the Qassam Brigades, will continue the path of resistance and struggle, defending the land and holy sites until liberation, return, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."
Since the ceasefire began in Gaza, the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have delivered 19 Israeli prisoners in six exchange batches, in addition to four bodies as part of the seventh batch.
In return, Israel is set to release 602 Palestinians, including 50 prisoners with life sentences, 60 with high sentences, 47 from the 2011 Shalit deal, and 445 prisoners from Gaza detained after October 7, 2023.
As of Saturday, Israel has not yet released the names of the Palestinian prisoners it plans to free, as it is customary for these names to be disclosed after Israel receives the names of Israeli prisoners.
With U.S. support, Israel has committed genocide in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and January 19, 2025, leaving over 160,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, the majority of whom were children and women, in addition to over 14,000 missing persons.
