Israel has postponed the planned release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, emphasising that it will not occur until the next hostages are guaranteed safe return, and following the cessation of “degrading ceremonies” related to handovers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office made this announcement after vehicles meant to transport prisoners reversed back into Ofer prison, causing confusion.
The release, which was expected shortly after six Israeli hostages were freed, faced delays amidst criticisms of the staged handovers previously conducted by Hamas. During these handovers, released hostages were paraded among masked militants, raising condemnation from various entities, including the UN.
Previously, hostages released on Saturday included three men captured during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, alongside others held for extended periods. Conversely, significant backlash arose after Hamas mistakenly returned the wrong body, further underscoring the sensitivity of these negotiations.
The Israeli government remains hesitant, as negotiations for the next phase of ceasefire are anticipated to be challenging. Hamas insists that no further hostages will be released without a permanent ceasefire, while Netanyahu maintains a focus on the complete dismantling of Hamas infrastructure. With the military offensive having resulted in extensive casualties and destruction in Gaza, the situation remains precarious, leading to ongoing protests in Israel.