Tel Aviv, the tension between Israel and Hamas again peaked following the postponement of the liberation of prisoners from the Gaza Strip which should have been carried out on Saturday (2/15/2025). Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid, openly accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being responsible for this delay. Meanwhile, hundreds of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, demanding that the government immediately resolve the exchange of prisoners and comply with a ceasefire agreement.
Delay of liberation of prisoners and accusations against Netanyahu
According to a spokesman for the Hamas armed wing, Abu Obeida, the delay in liberation of prisoners occurred because Israel was considered to violate the provisions of the ceasefire agreement. “Israeli troops fail to fulfill their obligations, including allowing refugees to return to northern Gaza and prevent the entry of humanitarian assistance,” Obeida said.
Lapid, in an interview with Israel 103FM radio, stated that Netanyahu’s stubborn attitude was the main cause of negotiations. “Netanyahu constantly refused to switch to the next phase of this agreement. He prefers to buy time rather than saving the lives of Israeli citizens, “Lapid said.
Protest mass at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Public pressure on the Israeli government is increasing. On Tuesday (2/13/2025), dozens of Israeli prisoner families blocked the main highway in West Jerusalem. They demanded that the government immediately complete an agreement on the exchange of prisoners with Hamas. A similar demonstration also took place in the center of Tel Aviv City, where hundreds of residents burned the torch and shouted slogans like “Bring them all back now” and “Enough war.”
The protesters accused Netanyahu intentionally sabotaged the agreement. “The Israeli government damaged this agreement. Netanyahu only cares about his own political interests, not the lives of his people, “shouted one of the demonstrators.
The role of the US and the threat of Trump
The situation is more complicated with the intervention of the US President, Donald Trump. In his firm statement, Trump threatened to cancel a ceasefire if all Israeli prisoners were not released no later than Saturday afternoon. “Hell will break if the prisoner is not released. Everything must be resolved without bloodshed, “said Trump.
Netanyahu and Trump have reportedly agreed on the guidelines for the second phase of the Gaza agreement, which includes the expulsion of Hamas leaders, the dissolution of their armed wings, and the liberation of all prisoners. However, its implementation is still hampered by political tensions in the country of Israel.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is getting worse. Gaza’s local authority urged international mediators to suppress Israel to fulfill their humanitarian obligations. “Humanitarian assistance must immediately enter Gaza. Our people suffer from blockade and lack of basic supply, “said a Gaza official.
The ceasefire which came into force on January 19, 2025 should be held in three stages. The first phase, which lasted for six weeks, involved the release of 33 Israeli prisoners instead of 737 Palestinian prisoners. The second phase is focused on the release of the remaining Israeli prisoners, while the third phase will include the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the bodies of Israeli prisoners who died in detention.
What will happen next?
The Israeli security cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (2/13/2025) to discuss the fate of the ceasefire agreement. Lapid calls for “one-stage prisoner exchange” instead of gradual methods that are considered too slow and risky. “The current method will only kill the hostages. We need firm action now, “he stressed.
With the pressure from within and outside the country, Netanyahu was faced with a difficult choice: continuing his hard policy or prioritizing the safety of Israeli citizens who were still being held in Gaza. Meanwhile, the people of Israel continue to wait for good news about their families who are still prisoners.