No More Talks With Israel Till Hostages Freed: Hamas

Says delay in releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners violation

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A Hamas official said on Tuesday Israel's delay in the release of some 600 Palestinian prisoners is a "serious violation" of the ceasefire agreement and talks on a second phase of the accord are not possible until they are returned.

As part of the agreement, Israel was supposed to release the prisoners last weekend after Hamas freed hostages from its October 7, 2023, attack. But Israel delayed the release over the treatment of the captives, who were paraded before crowds.

In a written statement, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, said the militant group had "fully adhered to all provisions of the agreements" and that Israel's delay "puts the agreement at risk of collapse, potentially leading to a resumption of war."