Guterres calls on Hamas to release prisoners by Saturday

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today (Tuesday) called on Hamas to release all prisoners by Saturday of next week.

 

According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Guterres called for the release of all Israeli prisoners in response to Hamas's statement on Monday evening that it was suspending the handover of Israeli prisoners, which was supposed to be made next Saturday.

 

Guterres stated, "I call on Hamas to take action to release the hostages next Saturday."

 

While Hamas had emphasized that it would suspend the release of Israeli prisoners indefinitely due to the Israeli regime's non-compliance with the ceasefire agreement, Guterres said, "Israel and Hamas must fully adhere to the provisions of the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations in Doha for the second phase."

 

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump had previously made threatening rhetoric against Hamas, saying that "if all hostages are not returned from Gaza by 12 noon on Saturday, I will call for the ceasefire to be lifted." Guterres stressed in his statement that "we must prevent the resumption of all hostile actions in Gaza that could lead to a major crisis."