Hamas Says Prisoner Swap Delay Gravely Endangers Gaza Ceasefire

Hamas on Feb 23 said Israel has gravely endangered a five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying a release of Palestinian prisoners under the deal because of the manner in which it has freed Israeli hostages.

- 

GAZA STRIP -

The first phase of the truce ends early in March and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed upon.

With tensions again hanging over the deal - which halted more than 15 months of war - Israel on Feb 23 announced an expansion of military operations in the occupied West Bank.

The military said a tank division will be sent in to the West Bank city of Jenin, the first such deployment to the territory in 20 years.

Since the Gaza ceasefire's first phase began on Jan 19, Hamas has released 25 living Israeli hostages in ceremonies before crowds at various locations in Gaza.

Armed and masked fighters had escorted the captives onto stages adorned with slogans. The hostages had spoken and waved in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "humiliating ceremonies".

The Red Cross has previously appealed to all parties for the swops to be carried out in a "dignified and private" manner.

In the seventh such transfer, Hamas released six Israeli captives on Feb 22 but Israel put off the planned release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said postponing the release exposes "the entire agreement to grave danger". He added that the mediators, "especially the Americans", must pressure Israel's government "to implement the agreement as it is and immediately release (their) prisoners".