Hamas prominently displayed a photo of Jerusalem while releasing three Israeli captives [Getty]
Hamas has reiterated its stance that any release of Israeli captives in Gaza will only go through formal negotiations and in strict accordance with a ceasefire agreement.
The Palestinian group also rejected Donald Trump’s widely condemned calls for forced displacement of Gazans, saying that any relocation of Palestinians should be “towards Jerusalem” rather than exile.
In a statement, the group said: “The release of the sixth batch of enemy prisoners confirms that there is no way to release them except through negotiations and commitment to the requirements of the ceasefire agreement.”
The comments came as Hamas completed the release of another group of Israeli detainees in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails.
Hamas said that the scenes of Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque placed behind the Israeli captives were released served as a reminder to Israel and its allies that these places remain “red lines”.
“The presence of the image of the city of Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the crowds of people attending the handover the enemy prisoners is a renewed message to the (Israeli) occupation and its supporters that they are a red line.”
The issue of forced displacement has become very prominent in recent weeks after Trump advocated moving out Gaza’s inhabitants to build a “Middle Eastern Riviera” in the devastated territory.
However, Israeli officials were discussing it long before, during Israel’s devastating war on Gaza which killed over 61,000 Palestinians.
In addition to Hamas, international human rights groups has repeatedly condemned the plans as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
“Our people, our nation, and justice advocates across the world stand witness to a moment of dignity and resilience as we complete this honourable prisoner exchange,” the Hamas statement said. “This agreement exemplifies the unbreakable bond between our people and their resistance.”
The exchange was facilitated under international mediation, with Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations playing key roles in securing guarantees from Israel.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou’ claimed that the group had entered the exchange process under the condition that Israel would uphold its obligations under the truce.
“We are now monitoring Israel’s commitment to implementing the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefire, as pledged by mediators,” Al-Qanou’ said.
Hamas said that it has successfully pressured Israel into compliance, but that negotiations for the second phase remain delicate.
Several human rights bodies have warned over Israel’s ongoing violations of the truce, raising concerns about whether further exchanges can proceed without disruption.
“There is no alternative for Israel if it wishes to secure the release of its remaining captives,” Al-Qanou’ warned. “Hamas will not allow this agreement to be undermined.”
