The world's eyes are on Gaza... Israel suspends ceasefire agreement: Will the war start again?

Compiled by: Suat TEKİN - 12punto.com.tr

Despite the release of 6 Israeli hostages in the 7th round of the prisoner exchange agreement reached with Hamas, Israel has postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners. It was noted that the decision was made after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not heed the recommendations of security officials.

A crisis occurred during the seventh round of the hostage exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. While Hamas released 6 Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government announced that it had halted the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners. An official speaking to the Israeli press claimed that this decision was made after Netanyahu ignored the advice of his security chiefs.

According to Al Jazeera, Hamas halted the ceasefire agreement after Trump demanded that all hostages in Gaza be released. After mediator countries pledged that Israel would fulfill its obligations, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, stated that the hostage exchange would continue.

Following his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump spoke about the possibility of all hostages not being released, saying, 'All hell will break loose.' After Trump's statement, Israel increased its attacks on the West Bank and Lebanon. After forcing 40,000 civilians to migrate in the West Bank, Israel has now failed to fulfill its agreement obligations regarding the hostage exchange. Hamas has not yet made a statement following Israel's breach of the agreement.

Since his meeting with Trump on February 3, Netanyahu has avoided using clear language regarding whether the war will continue. Before his meeting with Trump, the Israeli Prime Minister threatened to restart attacks if all hostages were not returned.

ALLEGATION OF MISTREATMENT OF HOSTAGES

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced in a written statement that Palestinian prisoners would not be released until the handover of other Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip and the condition that these handovers be conducted without ceremonies were guaranteed. The statement alleged that Hamas was using Israeli hostages for propaganda purposes and had violated the agreement.

In the press conferences mentioned by Israel, Israeli hostages used positive expressions regarding Hamas fighters. Most recently, at the ceremony held yesterday, released Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov bid farewell by kissing a Hamas fighter on the forehead.

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu decided to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners during a meeting with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri.

An official who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity stated that security chiefs had met with Netanyahu before the meeting and that they believed the Palestinian prisoners would be released.

HAMAS HOLDS 63 HOSTAGES

In a post on his social media account, Netanyahu stated that 192 Israeli hostages had been received so far, 147 of whom were alive and 45 dead. Stating that there are still 63 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu emphasized that they would work for the return of these hostages.

According to reports from Israel's Channel 14, the Israeli army plans to send tanks to the West Bank for the first time since 2002. On the other hand, it was reported that the government is pushing for tanks to be included in military operations in the northern West Bank. Sources shared information that Israeli tanks could soon participate in operations in the region.

The Israeli army has still not left some parts of the Gaza Strip that it was supposed to withdraw from during the ceasefire process. Netanyahu threatened Gaza, saying, 'We will not forget and we will not forgive.'

ATTACKS ON LEBANON AND THE WEST BANK

The Israeli army announced that it had carried out an airstrike on the Syria-Lebanon border. It was claimed that the attack was aimed at Hezbollah, which violated the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli army alleged that Hezbollah was trying to smuggle weapons from Syria to Lebanon. The Lebanese press reported that the attack was carried out in the countryside of the town of Qusaya in the Beqaa Governorate.

Netanyahu expressed his satisfaction with the release of 6 Israeli hostages in the seventh round of the prisoner exchange. The Israeli Prime Minister added that there are still 63 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip and that they will work for their return.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has not yet commented on the failure to release 602 Palestinian prisoners in the hostage exchange.