Netanyahu Delays Release of Palestinian Prisoners Over 'Ceremonies That Humiliate' Israeli Hostages

Netanyahu cited “Hamas’s repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes” in announcing the delay. Hamas has been criticized for conducting heavily choreographed ceremonies each time they released hostages back to Israel. Netanyahu said he would not free this batch of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.” There are 63 hostages remaining in Gaza, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, 27 of whom are presumed alive. No arrangements have yet been made for their release.

In a statement early on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of "repeated violations" as it lashed out at "disgraceful ceremonies" during the handover of Israeli captives in Gaza. The Israeli PM's office said: "In light of the repeated and ongoing violations by Hamas - including the disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour the dignity of our abductees and the cynical use of captives for propaganda purposes - it has been decided to postpone the release of the terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next group of abductees is secured, and without the humiliating ceremonies." The statement came as vehicles apparently carrying prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank, only to turn around and go back in.

“In light of the repeated violations by Hamas — including the ceremonies that demean our hostages and the cynical use of our hostages for propaganda purposes — it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists planed for yesterday until the next release of hostages is guaranteed, and without the degrading ceremonies,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office reads, the Times of Israel reported. The release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners was supposed to happen just after Israel received six hostages from the group on Saturday. Five of the six Israeli hostages freed by Hamas on Saturday were escorted by masked, armed militants and marched in front of a crowd. On Friday, Hamas, attempting to return the remains of Shiri Bibas, presented the wrong body to Israeli officials. On Saturday, the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, were returned to Israeli custody, with officials from the country stating the family was murdered while in captivity in Gaza.