**TEL AVIV, Israel** – The anticipated release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners has encountered a delay, as Israeli authorities stated it will only proceed once the next hostages’ release is confirmed and without the “humiliating ceremonies” previously witnessed during the handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza.
This announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office came early on a Sunday morning, as military trucks typically deployed to escort buses with prisoners were observed leaving, only to return without having made the expected transfers.
The delayed release, which initially involved 620 Palestinian prisoners, was intended to coincide with the release of six Israeli hostages on Saturday. This event was set to be the most significant single-day prisoner release under the current ceasefire arrangement. Israel’s recent statement has cast further uncertainty on the future of this truce.
The Palestinian Authority’s commission for prisoners’ affairs confirmed that the release would be postponed “until further notice.” Video footage from the West Bank showed families of the prisoners waiting in frigid conditions, visibly upset as they began to disperse. A particular highlight was a woman seen leaving in tears.
During the handover, five of the six hostages were escorted by armed, masked militants in what has drawn criticism from entities like the U.N. and the Red Cross, who labeled these displays as cruel. The Israeli government objected to these handover ceremonies, referring to them as demeaning acts that exploit the situation for propaganda, particularly referencing a video from Hamas showcasing two remaining hostages enduring pressure during the transfer process.
The recently freed hostages included three Israeli men captured at the Nova music festival and one individual taken while visiting family during the attack on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the current 16-month conflict in Gaza. Two others were held for a decade after crossing into Gaza voluntarily.
The staged release ceremonies highlighted the circumstances surrounding their handover, with hostages such as Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, and Eliya Cohen positioned alongside Hamas fighters. A visibly distressed Shem Tov embraced his parents, expressing joy while also revealing how he had spent significant time isolated during his captivity, resulting in a drastic weight loss of 37 pounds.
Earlier on Saturday, two other hostages, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, were reported released. Mengistu, who has dealt with mental health challenges since entering Gaza in 2014, was released alongside Shoham, who had been abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife and children returned home in another prisoner exchange earlier this year.
Following the hostage releases, the Israeli military announced the return of Hisham Al-Sayed, who had entered Gaza in 2015 and had also been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
While Israel’s government has not clarified the reasons behind the delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas accused Israel of breaching agreements, asserting that Netanyahu is purposely hindering the process.
Complications deepened with the painful recent incident where Hamas mistakenly returned the wrong remains of an Israeli mother to her family, prompting vows of retaliation from Netanyahu. The Israeli forensic team later validated the identification of Shiri Bibas’s remains, denying claims made by Hamas about her fate during an Israeli airstrike.
Amid these tensions, discussions regarding the future of the ceasefire remain complex. Originally aiming to pause extensive hostilities, uncertainties linger over a potential resurgence of violence.
Hamas is set to return four additional bodies next week, which would finalize the truce’s first phase, but they insist that no further releases will occur without a durable ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, with the U.S. administration’s backing, maintains a strategy focused on dismantling Hamas’s military and governance capabilities alongside securing the remaining hostages—a dual objective widely regarded as conflicting.
An Israeli official indicated that Netanyahu planned discussions with security advisors regarding the future of hostage negotiations, specifically targeting the objective of securing all captives, regardless of their status.
Released individuals expressed relief at their liberation, although it is understood that they endured a profound ordeal. Both families and the community have shown solidarity in calls for continuing efforts to bring home all hostages still held by Hamas.
In a separate development, it has been reported that among the intended 620 Palestinian individuals set for release, many have been sentenced for various attacks against Israelis, including individuals implicated in life sentences. Some will face deportation upon release, with ongoing discussions anticipated about the impact such mass releases could have on the ongoing conflict.
The ongoing military campaign has resulted in substantial civilian casualties in Gaza, with comprehensive damage noted throughout urban areas. The October 7 incident alone accounted for around 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, alongside significant losses sustained by Israeli forces over the course of the conflict.
