The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said that the release of Palestinian prisoners, scheduled for Saturday, has been delayed until the release of the next hostages is secured and without any humiliation of hostages at handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza.
As soon as the vehicles reportedly carrying Palestinian prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison, the Israeli PM’s office relayed the order and the vehicles turned around and got back into the jail.
According to reports, there were 620 Palestinian prisoners ought to be released on Saturday which was already delayed by several hours after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday.
it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 23, 2025
Since the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militant group, it was bound to be the largest one-day prisoner release.
Israel pointed out “ceremonies that demean the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of the hostages for propaganda purposes.” Israel referred to a video which showed two hostages who were yet to be released watching a handover in Gaza on Saturday and speaking under duress.
Israeli hostages, from left to right, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem and Omer Wenkert, show Hamas issued certificates on a stage after being instructed by militants, before being handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip. (AP Photo)
The five of the six hostages released by the Hamas were escorted alongside the masked men who were heavily armed, a gesture which has been criticized by the United Nations and others as cruel based on the handover of hostages in the past.
With the release of the latest six hostages by the Hamas group, the last six living hostages have been released under the ceasefire ‘s first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage.
However, the decision of Israel PM’s office to delay the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners has put the truce deal in jeopardy while the deadline of the first phase of ceasefire agreement is approaching on March 1.
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