Truce future hangs in balance as Israel halts Gaza prisoner release, cites reason
Israeli soldiers detain blindfolded Palestinian men in a military truck in the Zeitoun district of the southern part of the Gaza Strip on November 19, 2023. (AFP file photo)
The Israeli government has announced a move to delay the planned release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, citing concerns over the “humiliating ceremonies” held by Hamas during hostage handovers in Gaza.
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, issued early Sunday, declared that the release of prisoners would remain on hold “until the release of the next hostages has been assured” and condemned the publicized handovers of Israeli captives.
Military vehicles that typically escort prisoner transport buses initially moved out of Ofer Prison but then turned back, signaling the abrupt delay.
This development has thrown the ceasefire agreement into uncertainty, with Hamas accusing Israel of stalling.
The Palestinian Authority’s commission for prisoners’ affairs confirmed that the releases are postponed “until further notice.” Families of detainees, waiting for hours in freezing conditions in the West Bank, were left dispersing in tears.
Israel’s frustration stems from the highly publicized hostage releases in Gaza, which UN officials and the Red Cross have criticized. On Saturday, six Israeli hostages were freed, but five of them were paraded in front of armed Hamas militants before their release.
In one instance, hostage Omer Shem Tov was seen kissing militants on the head and blowing kisses to the crowd—acts Israeli officials believe were done under duress.
Meanwhile, Israeli protesters rallied in Tel Aviv, calling for the return of all remaining captives after Hamas freed the six living Israeli captives slated for release in the first phase of the truce deal.
So far, the Israeli rampaging attacks on Gaza have killed 48,319 Palestinians, while 111,749 people have been wounded. The government media office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
On the Israeli side, at least 1,139 people were killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, and more than 200 were taken hostage.
