February 23, 2025 – Israel has delayed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, citing concerns over Hamas’ “humiliating ceremonies” during hostage handovers. The move raises doubts about the future of the Gaza ceasefire.
Hostage Exchange Sparks Controversy
The decision came after six Israeli hostages were freed on Saturday. However, five were handed over in public, staged ceremonies featuring masked Hamas fighters, a move condemned by Israel and the United Nations as cruel and exploitative.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the prisoner release would not proceed until “the release of the next hostages has been assured” and Hamas stops using captives “for propaganda purposes.”
Hamas and Israel at Odds Over Ceasefire
Hamas accused Israel of violating the deal, with spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou saying Netanyahu was “deliberately stalling”. The ceasefire agreement, which had temporarily halted months of war, now faces uncertainty.
The hostages freed on Saturday included:
Three men kidnapped from the Nova music festival.
One Israeli-Austrian citizen taken from Kibbutz Be’eri.
Two others who entered Gaza years ago and were held for over a decade
Most were forced to participate in Hamas’ “public handovers,” which Israel has denounced.
Escalating Tensions Over Bibas Family Tragedy
The dispute comes amid a bitter row over the fate of Israeli mother Shiri Bibas and her two sons. Hamas mistakenly handed over the wrong body, leading to Israeli outrage. Forensic tests later confirmed Shiri Bibas’ remains had been returned, but the fate of her children remains unclear.
Hamas and Israel have also clashed over allegations that the children were killed “with bare hands”—a claim Hamas calls a “lie to justify Israeli actions.”
Future of the Ceasefire at Risk
The truce deal had paused some of the deadliest fighting between Israel and Hamas. However, with Hamas still holding over 60 hostages—half believed to be alive—negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire are expected to be far more difficult.
Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before releasing any more captives. Meanwhile, Israel insists on securing the return of all hostages, “alive and dead,” before considering further concessions.
