Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal will be postponed until Hamas stops its “humiliating ceremonies” during the handover of Israeli hostages.
Netanyahu made this statement in response to repeated instances where Hamas has staged ceremonies in Gaza, showcasing the coffins and live hostages in public events before crowds.
Under the current ceasefire, which began on January 19, Hamas has held several such ceremonies, during which 25 living Israeli hostages have been released. In the most recent ceremony, Hamas freed six hostages, but Israel subsequently delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners as a form of protest.
Netanyahu’s office explained that this delay is a direct response to what they described as repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas, including the public and disgraceful display of hostages.
Netanyahu’s decision comes amid a war of words between the Israeli leader and Hamas. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Hamas would face severe consequences if it did not release all remaining hostages, and the Israeli government has vowed to destroy Hamas following its October 7, 2023 attack that triggered over 15 months of conflict.
The ceasefire’s first phase has already led to the release of 21 living Israeli hostages in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, though negotiations for a second phase aimed at a permanent end to the conflict have yet to begin. The delay in releasing Palestinian prisoners is set to last until Hamas can ensure that future hostages are released without the degrading public ceremonies.
Meanwhile, emotional scenes unfolded in both Gaza and Israel. In southern Gaza, hostages were escorted by Hamas militants onto stages in ceremonies, while in Tel Aviv, hundreds gathered at ‘Hostages Square’ to witness broadcasts of the releases. Families of hostages, such as that of Shiri Bibas, continue to await resolution as the ceasefire negotiations and prisoner exchanges proceed under fraught circumstances.
