Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, February 23, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Hamas official: All negotiations halted until Israel frees prisoners slated for release
Israeli security forces outside the Ofer prison in the West Bank from where Palestinian terror convicts were slated to be released as part of a hostage release-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, February 22, 2025. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)
Hamas will hold off on negotiations with Israel through mediators unless Israel frees the 602 Palestinian prisoners slated for release in exchange for the six Israeli hostages handed over yesterday, says Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi.
In a statement on Telegram, the official calls on mediators to pressure Israel into implementing the ceasefire agreement’s provisions.
Early this morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not release the prisoners until Hamas provided guarantees that it would end the “demeaning” ceremonies it has held to mark the transfer of Israeli hostages.
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