Israel Delays Palestinian Prisoner Release Amid Hostage Negotiations

Israel has announced a postponement of the planned release of Palestinian prisoners until additional Israeli hostages are released. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) cited repeated violations of the ceasefire-hostage deal by Hamas as the reason for the delay.

The move came after Hamas condemned Israel's decision, claiming that the accusation that the handover ceremonies were "humiliating" was false and a pretext to avoid fulfilling its obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The release of Palestinian prisoners is expected to occur when the next batch of hostages is freed. Israel’s PMO explained that Hamas had violated the agreement by failing to return the body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas and by using the hostages for propaganda purposes, including disrespectful ceremonies. As a result, Israel demanded the release of the bodies of slain hostages earlier than initially planned.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and other officials were involved in the discussions, which took place in a high-level meeting called by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Psychological Abuse of Hostages

Hamas’s use of hostages as tools for psychological warfare was highlighted when two hostages, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were forced to watch the release of fellow hostages from captivity. A disturbing video released by Hamas showed the two hostages in a car near the ceremony, visibly distressed as they witnessed the others’ release. Their families have condemned this inhumane treatment, emphasizing the severe psychological and physical abuse that hostages endure.

The Hostage Families Forum has called for urgent action to accelerate negotiations and secure the immediate return of all abducted individuals, urging the Israeli government to prevent further delays.

Global Outcry and Support for Hostage Families

The psychological torment of these hostages has sparked outrage internationally, with figures like Elise Stefanik, US President Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to the UN, condemning Hamas for its cruelty. "Hamas’ evil depravity knows no bounds," she stated on social media, calling for the swift return of all hostages.