The announcement that Palestinian group Hamas would suspend the release of prisoners of war in Gaza divided Israeli society.
Hamas said Monday that the suspension was a response to a violation of the Israeli ceasefire in Gaza and came into effect on January 19. The Palestinian group cited the delayed return of displaced people to different regions to different regions of Gaza, citing that all aid would not be allowed to enter. It was agreed as part of the transaction.
And on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said if Hamas does not continue to release prisoners on Saturday, his country will resume bombing Gaza.
If the ceasefire breaks down, it means that Israeli prisoners are still held in Gaza and will remain in the enclaves greatly in the wrath of Israeli society. The problem is where the Israelites change their wrath.
The prisoners’ families have already protested in Tel Aviv, and most relatives and groups defend themselves as they call on the Israeli government to ensure that the deal doesn’t fail, and move on to phase 2, which will ensure all remaining releases I’m doing it. Prisoner.
But many of Israel, and within the government, have opposed the ceasefire from the start, arguing that the war in Gaza, in which Israel killed more than 61,700 Palestinians, should end with Hamas’ complete defeat alone. did. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown that he has agreed and is at risk for the next stage of the transaction.
And the comments from US President Donald Trump also brought about uncertainty. He says the US should take over Gaza and replace the Palestinians there – an act that would effectively cleanse the ethnic group – and call for all Israeli prisoners to be released by Saturday, If they were there, I wouldn’t say, “Let me break all hell.”
Why did Hamas pause the exchange?
Hamas Armed Wing spokesman Abu Obeida said on Monday: …Resistance, on the other hand, fulfilled all of its duties. ”
Israel has killed more than 25 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, according to Gaza officials. Israel is also lacking in the supply of desperately needed aid, including tents, food and medical supplies. He also said that of the 1,000 desperately ill or injured people, Israel has agreed to allow output from Gaza for treatment, so that only 120 have been allowed to travel so far. .
Israeli officials confirmed with the New York Times that Hamas’ claims against Israel were accurate, but the Israeli government officially denied that, with Israeli Foreign Minister Katz saying Hamas’ declaration “a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement.” He said.
What did the prisoners’ families say?
Protesters led by prisoners of war members blocked one of Tel Aviv’s main highways on Monday in protest of what the government sees as mishandling the ceasefire.
“We will ask the Israeli government not to be victimized by the terrorist group spin and ensure that open doors are not closed,” a statement issued late Monday from the Hostage Family Forum said in Hamas. I stated in response to the pause.
During the war, the prisoners of war families have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu and his government, denounced the failure to prioritize the release of those held in Gaza.
In September, after the bodies of six dead prisoners were found in Gaza, more than half a million people were taken to Israel’s streets and joined the general strike announced by the trade union Histadroot, and entered into a deal with the government’s Hamas. Protested that they did not reach it and will see the prisoners’ return.
How did far-right critics of the ceasefire in Israel respond?
Israel’s far right revealed that its priorities were Hamas’ defeat and the illegal acquisition of Gaza, and the expulsion of 2.3 million Palestinian residents.
The suspension in January caused strong criticism from the far right, where Israel is increasingly influenced.
Among them is Itamar Ben Gwil, former Minister of National Security, who resigned from his cabinet position after a ceasefire was agreed. Many of the thousands of Palestinians held by Israel have been incarcerated without guilt, while some of the released people are gay and showing signs of torture. The prisoner’s rights group has said dozens of Palestinians have died in Israeli prisons, and cases of rape have also been documented.
In partnership with Ben Gwil, Bezarel Smotrich’s far-right finance minister has widely reported that Israel was persuaded to remain in the government only in return for assurance that Israel would resume its war with Gaza, regardless of the conditions of the ceasefire. It was being done.
In response to news that prisoner exchanges will be suspended, Ben Gwil wrote on social media: It includes bombing the aid package already brought into strips containing electricity, fuel and water, and in Hamas’ hands. We must return to war and destroy it! ”
Both Smotrich and Ben Gwil had no prior emphasis on the welfare of prisoners of war when they opposed their own ambitions for the war with Gaza. Last February, Smotrich angered many families of those detained in Gaza, saying their return was “not the most important thing.” Ben Goville boasted in January that he had made an effort to stop the battle in exchange for the return of prisoners of war.
Where does this leave Netanyahu?
According to the observers, the collapse of the ceasefire and the rekindling of Israel’s war with Gaza may benefit the prime minister.
Netanyahu critics frequently expressed the opinion that the prime minister was extending the war, thereby delaying the release of prisoners, and on October 7, 2023, his suspicious failure led by Hamas, to South Israel Like the attack, it increased the distance between his suspected mistakes. to avoid convictions in the corruption case filed against him in 2019.
In June, Netanyahu presented the previous month with displeased feelings of wanting to move forward with a US ceasefire plan, former US president Joe Biden concludes to Time magazine that Netanyahu is perpetuating his conflict. “There are all kinds of reasons.” Political purpose.
Even the collapse of the ceasefire and the prospect of an early election could ultimately benefit Netanyahu, his former aide and political poll Mitchell Barak previously told Al Jazeera. “A new election will make every government transitional,” Barak said. “Everything that gives Netanyahu time is always good for him. He’s done this before.”
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