Jerusalem, Feb 23 (IANS) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the planned release of Palestinian prisoners would be postponed until Hamas stops what Israel describes as “humiliating ceremonies” during hostage exchanges under the ongoing ceasefire agreement.
Israel had initially planned to release 602 Palestinian prisoners, including 60 serving long sentences, 50 serving life terms, and 47 who were re-arrested after their 2011 release in the Gilad Shalit exchange.
“In light of Hamas’s repeated violations, including public ceremonies that exploit and humiliate our hostages for propaganda purposes, the decision has been made to delay the release of these prisoners until the next hostage exchange is confirmed and conducted without such acts,” stated Netanyahu’s office.
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages in high-profile handovers, with videos showing masked operatives parading captives in front of large crowds. Israel has criticized these acts as deliberate propaganda.
The decision to delay the prisoner release follows a tragic development in Israel, where authorities confirmed the deaths of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months). The family had been held captive since October 7, 2023, and was reportedly murdered in November of the same year. The remains of the Bibas children were returned, but Hamas initially provided the wrong body instead of Shiri Bibas, handing over the remains of an unidentified Palestinian woman.
Meanwhile, in the latest hostage-prisoner exchange, six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday in separate stages. Videos released by Hamas showed the captives appearing frail and malnourished as they emerged from vehicles in Rafah.
With tensions high, Israel remains firm in its stance that further prisoner releases will only take place under conditions ensuring that no further exploitation of hostages occurs.
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