Hamas announces suspension of hostage deal

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi announced tonight (Sunday) that his organization is suspending negotiations with Israel and that the continuation of the hostage deal and ceasefire agreement will not proceed.

According to Mardawi: "There will be no dialogue with Israel through mediators at any stage - before the release of Palestinian prisoners who were agreed to be released in exchange for the six Israeli hostages. The mediators must compel Israel to implement the agreement."

After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided tonight that Israel would delay the release of militants from prisons until all hostages are released and the "degrading ceremony" stops, Hamas is has expressed anger over this.

The terror organization stated that "Hamas strongly condemns the occupation's decision to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners (militants)," and they further claimed that "these ceremonies do not include insults to prisoners, but rather reflect generous human interaction with them."

"The real insult is what our prisoners are exposed to during the release process, from torture, beatings and deliberate humiliation until the final moments," Hamas added.

Finally, they said that "Netanyahu's decision reflects a deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement, represents a clear violation of its terms, and the occupation's credibility shows regarding implementing its commitments. We call on mediators and the international community to exercise their responsibility and pressure the occupation to implement the agreement and release the prisoners without delay."

The IDF said that following a situational assessment, it was taking the following steps:

"Following the situation assessment, it was decided to increase military readiness and operational preparedness in the Gaza perimeter area. As of right now, there are no changes to the home front instructions."

At the present time, neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor any member of his cabinet have responded to this ultimatum nor indicated what they would do if the hostage deal was truly suspended.