Israel has announced that it will postpone the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners until "the release of the next hostages is ensured, and without humiliating ceremonies" during the transfer of Israeli captives in Gaza.
The statement came from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early Sunday morning. Military vehicles, which typically lead buses carrying prisoners, exited the open gates of Ofer prison but then demonstratively turned around and re-entered.
The release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners has been delayed since Saturday. It was supposed to occur immediately after the release of six Israeli hostages by Hamas the day before and was set to be the largest single-day prisoner release during the first phase of the ceasefire.
Israel's sudden decision to postpone the release of prisoners "until further notice" casts doubt on the already fragile ceasefire.
Five of the six hostages released from Gaza on Saturday were escorted by armed, masked militants in front of a large crowd. International organizations, such as the United Nations and the Red Cross, criticized this ceremony, labeling it as cruel.
In its statement, Israel mentioned that "ceremonies that humiliate the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda purposes" are among the reasons for the delay.
The six hostages released by Hamas on Saturday were the last living captives to be freed as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Negotiations for the second phase have yet to begin.
What’s next?
The ceasefire agreement has halted the most deadly and destructive fighting in history between Israel and Hamas. There are now concerns that the war may resume.
Hamas has stated that it will return the bodies of four hostages to Israel next week. The group still holds over 60 hostages, with half believed to be alive.
In the second phase of the ceasefire, Hamas will release all remaining captives in exchange for hundreds of other Palestinian prisoners. The second phase is also intended to ensure the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a final cessation of hostilities.
Hamas claims it is ready to move to the second phase but emphasizes that it will not release the remaining captives without guarantees from Israel that it will also fulfill its part of the deal.
Netanyahu, backed by the support of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, has stated his intention to destroy Hamas's military and governance capabilities and to bring back all hostages.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have died as a result of the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. About 90% of the 2.1 million population of the enclave have also been forced to leave their homes, with some doing so multiple times.
The offensive has destroyed a large part of the infrastructure and buildings in the area. The UN has previously stated that Gaza will require decades for recovery and reconstruction.
Israel began the war in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.