Israel says the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners was delayed at the hands of Israeli prisoners in Gaza “without any humiliating rituals, with the release of the next hostage.”
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office came early on Sunday as military vehicles, which normally travel in front of buses carrying prisoners, left the open gates of the Offer prison and turned around and returned.
The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners was delayed several hours later, and was intended to occur shortly after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday. This was intended to be the largest one-day prisoner release in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
Israel’s announcement has further doubts about the future of the ceasefire.
The Palestinian Authority’s Prisoner Affairs Committee confirmed the delay “until further notice.” Video from the Associated Press in the West Bank showed the prisoners’ families appearing to be waiting outdoors in near-freezing weather. One woman was shown to leave in tears.
Five of the six hostages released on Saturday were being escorted by masked armed extremists in front of the crowd. This is an exhibition that the United Nations and the Red Cross criticised as cruel after previous hand-wovens.
The Israeli statement cited “rituals that alleviate the sarcastic use of hostages for hostage dignity and propaganda purposes.” It could be a reference to Hamas video showing two hostages who have yet to be released to watch a handover in Gaza on Saturday and speak under obsession.
The six are the last living hostages expected to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire, with a week remaining in the early stages. No talks on the second phase of the Cerefire have yet to be launched.
Six people include three Israelis seized from the Nova Music Festival and another man who was photographed during a Hamas-led visit to a Southern Israeli family on October 7, 2023, in Gaza There was an attack that caused a 16-month war. The other two went to Gaza on their own and then took place for 10 years.
The five were handed over in a gradual ritual. In one, Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen posed alongside Hamas Fighters. Acting under obsession, the shining Shemtob kissed two militants on the head and kissed the crowd. They were not soldiers when they were accused, but they were wearing fake military uniforms.
Cohen’s family and friends in Israel cheered, “Elijah! Elijah! Elijah!”
“You’re a hero,” Shem Tov told his parents that he later hugged him, laughing and crying. “I don’t know how much you dreamed of you.”
Earlier on Saturday, 40-year-old Tal Shoham and 38-year-old Avera Mengäthu were released. Mengistu from Ethiopia and Israel entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he was struggling with mental health issues. Shoham of Austria, Israel, was taken from Kibbutzberg. His wife and two children were released in an exchange in 2023.
Israeli forces later said 36-year-old Hisham al-Seid had been released. Bedouin Israel entered Gaza in 2015. His family told Israeli media, where he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu replied on Friday after it was discovered that Hamas released as part of the hostage exchange deal as promised by extremists, not the Israeli mother of the two young boys. I vowed to be ven. NBC’s Haragorani reports from Tel Aviv.
The Israeli government did not answer questions regarding delayed release of prisoners. Hamas accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire agreement, and spokesman Abdel Latif al-Kanou accused Netanyahu of “deliberately stalling.”
The hostage release follows a heartbreaking conflict when Hamas handed out the wrong bodies on Thursday for Israeli mother Siri Vivas, whose two young boys were accused of. He decided that the body was a relic of a Palestinian woman. Netanyahu vowed to revenge for “cruel and malicious violations.” Hamas suggested that it was a mistake.
Israeli forensic authorities confirmed that the body handed over on Friday was Vivas. Dr. Chen Kugel, director of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, said there was no evidence that Vivas and her children were killed in the Israeli airstrike, as Hamas claims. Kugel gave no cause.
Hamas denied the Israeli military’s claims based on forensic evidence and unspecified “intellect,” and the extremists killed children “with their naked hands” and justified Israeli military action against Gaza civilians. It was called a lie with the aim of transforming it into a lie.
There are difficult discussions about the next stage of the ceasefire
The ceasefire agreement paused the most deadly and devastating battle ever between Israel and Hamas, but the war could resume. Negotiations about the second phase of the ceasefire can be more difficult.
Hamas said he would release four bodies next week and complete the first phase of the armistice. Hamas then holds over 60 hostages. It is believed that about half are alive.
Hamas said he would not release the remaining prisoners without a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu says he is committed to destroying Hamas’ troops, governing its capabilities and reviving all hostages, with the support of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Israeli officials said Netanyahu will meet with security advisors on the future of the ceasefire on Saturday night. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as the meeting had not been formally announced.
Freed hostages bring relief and signs of life
Benkart, Cohen, Shoham and Shemtob had “a very difficult period in captivity,” Bailinson Hospital said, but did not provide details on the family’s requests.
Omar’s mother, Niva Wenkart, told Israeli Channel 12, “It’s fine on the surface, but I don’t know what’s going on.”
“This is an unforgettable moment, and all the emotions are rapidly mixing together,” Shoham’s family said, calling for a contract to release all the hostages that are still held.
Family and others reunited in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to pressure Netanyahu’s government to trade.
“What can we do to President Trump and his envoy (Stephen) Witkov be more devoted to returning Israeli hostages than you?” To your watch! ”
Hamas has released a video showing two hostages, Ebiyatar David and Guy Gilboa Dalal, who were still held when they spoke under obsessively in handovers by Shem Tov, Cohen and Wenkart. A group that represents a family of hostages known as “diseases.”
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said Palestinians in Gaza should be moved to their new homelands.
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners
The 620 Palestinian prisoners are intended to be released. It includes 151 serving lives or other sentences for attacks on Israelis. Almost 100 people will be deported, according to the Palestinian prisoners’ media office.
The Palestinian Prisoner Rights Association said it includes Nael Barguti, who spent more than 45 years in prison for the attack that killed an Israeli bus driver.
Also, 445 men intended to be released are charged with 23 children ages 15 to 19, as well as women seized by Israeli forces in Gaza during the war.
Israeli military attacks have killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says it killed more than 17,000 fighter jets without providing evidence.
The attack destroyed vast areas of Gaza and reduced the entire neighborhood to tile rubs. At that height, the war drove out 90% of Gaza’s population.
The attack on October 7th killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died in the war.
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shurafa reported from Rafah from Deir Al-Balah, Gaza Strip and Jahjouh. Associated Press author Tia Goldenberg, Tel Aviv, Israel. Abdel Kareem Hana of Nusairat, Gaza Strip; And Sammy Magdy of Cairo contributed to this report.
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