Israel's actions drove Hamas to suspend captive release, say Israeli experts

Israeli experts have said that Israel’s own actions may have driven Hamas to announce the suspension of a planned prisoner release this Saturday, following Israel’s failure to uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, Arab48 reported.

Ron Ben-Yishai, a security analyst for Yedioth Ahronoth, noted that Hamas does not intend to cancel the agreement but seeks “various concessions from Israel and mediators.” He highlighted that the timing of Hamas’ announcement, at the beginning of the week, leaves ample time for negotiations, possibly leading Hamas to reverse its decision and fulfill the agreement by releasing captives on Saturday.

He further suggested that Hamas fears Israel and the United States are planning a large-scale offensive in Gaza. He pointed to Israel’s failure to begin the second phase of negotiations as a key factor, along with US President Donald Trump’s plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza of Palestinians and aggressive statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Ben-Yishai argued that Israel’s delay in fulfilling its commitments fuelled Hamas’s belief that Tel Aviv intends to prolong the first phase of the prisoner deal and launch a military offensive once fewer hostages remain in Gaza. He added that Hamas’ threat is not merely a negotiation tactic but a credible warning.

Amos Harel of Haaretz confirmed that senior Israeli security officials had warned about a possible suspension of the exchange due to Israel’s unwillingness to move forward. He wrote: “In Gaza, they observed developments between Israel and Washington. If Israel openly states that it does not intend to move to the second phase, why would Hamas have any interest in giving up more bargaining chips and releasing additional captives?”

He emphasised that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s order to avoid second-phase talks and the lack of a formal cabinet meeting on the matter had further escalated tensions.

Moreover, political correspondent for Zman Yisrael, Tal Schneider, noted that “Israel has also breached the agreement by delaying the negotiation team for the second phase. On the 16th day of the deal, it is undisputed that this constitutes an Israeli violation.”

Israeli correspondents in Washington recently reported that Netanyahu has no intention of implementing the second phase.

“If Netanyahu continues to hint at a return to war on March 6, the likelihood of the deal collapsing in its first phase will increase,” Schneider warned.

More than 20 days have passed since the ceasefire began, but conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Israel is still blocking the entry of the heavy machinery needed to remove 55 million tonnes of rubble. Without it, tens of thousands of bodies remain trapped under collapsed buildings, and roads remain inaccessible. Israel also obstructed aid entry into Gaza and arrested truck drivers.

Israeli occupation forces have also continued attacking civilians. In the latest incident, they struck a vehicle carrying displaced families returning to northern Gaza. Several people were injured, including children.

Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire deal but warned that it would only comply as long as Israel complied.

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