Ankara: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas condemned on Sunday Israel's delay in releasing Palestinian prisoners as a 'violation' of a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement. Israel was scheduled to let go 620 prisoners on Saturday in return for six captives freed by Hamas, but Tel Aviv delayed the releases citing what it called 'humiliating hostage handovers.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Hamas leader Ezzat al-Rishq criticized the Israeli claim as 'false and flimsy,' suggesting it was an attempt to evade the obligations of the agreement. He stated that the handover ceremonies are not insulting and reflect humane treatment of the prisoners.

Israel indicated it would delay the prisoner releases until the next handover of captives is guaranteed and conducted without what it described as 'degrading' ceremonies. Al-Rishq challenged this position by asserting that true humiliation occurs in the treatment of Palestinian prisoners during their release, which often involves torture, beating, and deliberate humiliation.

The Hamas leader further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately undermining the Gaza agreement, calling it a clear violation of its terms and questioning Israel's credibility in fulfilling its commitments. Rishq called on mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to honor the agreement and release the prisoners without further delay.

The ceasefire deal, which took effect last month, halted Israel's military actions that resulted in over 48,300 casualties, predominantly women and children, and devastated the enclave. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave.