Israel has delayed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement by staging public ceremonies during the handover of Israeli hostages. The decision came after six Israeli hostages were freed on Saturday, but their transfer was accompanied by what West Jerusalem called “humiliating” displays by Hamas militants.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on Sunday, condemning Hamas for “repeated violations” of the agreement. It accused the group of using hostages for “propaganda purposes” and declared that the prisoner release would be postponed until assurances were made that future exchanges would occur without such displays.
Reports indicate that Palestinian detainees had already boarded buses for release from Ofer prison in the West Bank but were ordered to disembark following Israel’s decision. The move raises concerns about the stability of the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt in mid-January.
Hamas official Ezzat El Rashq denounced Israel’s decision, calling it a “deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement” and a violation of its terms. The group maintains that its handover ceremonies are conducted with dignity.
The ceasefire was designed to facilitate a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners while enabling humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. However, with tensions rising over the delayed release, uncertainty looms over whether the truce will hold.
