GAZA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Monday said ensuring the agreed-upon release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners by Israel is a prerequisite for further talks aimed at consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza.

In a press statement, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, said any future discussions with Israel would only proceed if Israel meets the key condition of releasing the prisoners.

"Any indirect negotiations with Israel will only take place if a fundamental condition is fulfilled -- the release of the over 600 Palestinian prisoners as agreed," Naim said.

Naim insisted that mediators -- Egypt, Qatar, and the United States -- must ensure Israel adheres to the terms of the agreement, which include releasing Palestinian prisoners.

This statement came two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners, which was part of the seventh batch of prisoner-for-hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas.

According to Netanyahu's office, the delay was a response to what it described as "provocations" by Hamas, including the "disgraceful hostage release ceremonies that dishonor hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda purposes."

Netanyahu's office emphasized that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be contingent on guarantees from mediators that Hamas would not engage in similar acts of "provocation" in the future.

The ceasefire, which followed 15 months of intense conflict in Gaza, was agreed by Hamas and Israel on January 15 and went into effect on January 19. Enditem

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