Israel postpones release of Palestinian detainees due to 'humiliating' hostage celebrations
Israel has postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners, alleging that Hamas has engaged in “humiliating” practices during the handover of hostages. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israel has postponed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, alleging that Hamas is conducting “humiliating” ceremonies during hostage handovers, reflecting a challenge to the ceasefire agreement.
Originally, Israel intended to release 620 Palestinians following the release of six Israeli hostages by Hamas on Saturday. However, West Jerusalem has expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of masked Hamas members who are reportedly parading Israeli prisoners before crowds.
On Sunday, the Office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement accusing Hamas of “repeated violations” of the ceasefire, citing “the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes.”
Consequently, the statement noted, “it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured and without the humiliating ceremonies.”
Despite Palestinian captives reportedly boarding buses to depart from Israel’s Ofer prison in the West Bank, they were instructed to disembark, leading to uncertainty about the future of the ceasefire, which had included the exchange as a critical element.
In response, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, claimed that Netanyahu is making a “deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement.” He suggested that the decision to delay represents “a clear violation of [the agreement’s] terms, and shows the occupation’s lack of reliability in implementing its obligations.” Officials from Hamas assert that the release ceremonies are being conducted with dignity.
The ongoing ceasefire, facilitated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, was established in mid-January following 15 months of intense conflict that resulted in significant casualties and considerable destruction in Gaza. The agreement outlines a step-by-step process for exchanging hostages and prisoners, as well as ensuring humanitarian aid flows into the region, and is expected to culminate in Israel’s withdrawal from the enclave.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Originally, Israel intended to release 620 Palestinians following the release of six Israeli hostages by Hamas on Saturday. However, West Jerusalem has expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of masked Hamas members who are reportedly parading Israeli prisoners before crowds.
On Sunday, the Office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement accusing Hamas of “repeated violations” of the ceasefire, citing “the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes.”
Consequently, the statement noted, “it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured and without the humiliating ceremonies.”
Despite Palestinian captives reportedly boarding buses to depart from Israel’s Ofer prison in the West Bank, they were instructed to disembark, leading to uncertainty about the future of the ceasefire, which had included the exchange as a critical element.
In response, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, claimed that Netanyahu is making a “deliberate attempt to disrupt the agreement.” He suggested that the decision to delay represents “a clear violation of [the agreement’s] terms, and shows the occupation’s lack of reliability in implementing its obligations.” Officials from Hamas assert that the release ceremonies are being conducted with dignity.
The ongoing ceasefire, facilitated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, was established in mid-January following 15 months of intense conflict that resulted in significant casualties and considerable destruction in Gaza. The agreement outlines a step-by-step process for exchanging hostages and prisoners, as well as ensuring humanitarian aid flows into the region, and is expected to culminate in Israel’s withdrawal from the enclave.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
