Israel Freezes Palestinian Prisoner Release Over Hamas Hostage Ceremonies//

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//Israel Freezes Palestinian Prisoner Release Over Hamas Hostage Ceremonies//

Israel has halted the planned release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners in response to what it calls "humiliating ceremonies" orchestrated by Hamas during hostage handovers. The decision, announced early Sunday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, underscores mounting tensions over the terms of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire and raises questions about the future of the truce.

Israeli hostage Eliya Cohen, flanked by Palestinian Hamas fighters, waves under duress before being released along with two others in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, on February 22, 2025.

A Sudden Halt to a Major Prisoner Release

On Saturday, the Israeli government had been set to release 602 Palestinian inmates from Ofer Prison as part of a deal tied to the return of six Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity. However, in a dramatic turn of events, prisoners who had already boarded buses were ordered to disembark, their release put on indefinite hold.

The abrupt decision follows growing Israeli outrage over Hamas' handling of hostage transfers, particularly the parading of captives in public ceremonies that many view as psychological warfare. Netanyahu made it clear that future prisoner releases would not proceed until Hamas guarantees an end to such spectacles.

“In light of the repeated violations by Hamas—including the ceremonies that demean our hostages’ dignity and the cynical use of our hostages for propaganda purposes—it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists planned for yesterday until the next release of hostages is guaranteed, and without the humiliating ceremonies,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement released after 1 a.m. Sunday.

Mounting Tensions and Public Outrage

Israel’s decision to delay the prisoner release further complicates an already fragile truce. The Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs confirmed that the release was postponed "until further notice," with families of detainees seen waiting in freezing temperatures, only to be left in tears.

Israeli hostages, from left to right, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem and Omer Wenkert, are told to show Hamas issued certificates by before being handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025.

The tipping point came after footage emerged of Israeli hostages being presented to cheering crowds, surrounded by masked and armed Hamas militants. One particularly jarring scene involved freed hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was seen kissing his captors on the head—actions Israeli officials insist were carried out under extreme duress.

The United Nations and the International Red Cross have condemned Hamas’ public hostage handovers as cruel and demeaning, adding to Israel’s justification for delaying the prisoner exchange.

Who Were the Prisoners Set for Release?

The planned release was to be the largest single-day exchange under the ceasefire’s first phase. Among those slated for freedom were 50 prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis and 60 others sentenced to long prison terms. The roster also included Nael Barghouti, one of the longest-serving Palestinian inmates, who has spent 44 years in Israeli custody for the 1978 killing of Israeli bus driver Mordechai Yekuel.

Other high-profile prisoners included Ammar Zaban, a former Hamas leader convicted for his role in multiple deadly attacks, including the 1997 Jerusalem market bombing that killed 16 people. Nearly 100 of the prisoners were set to be deported rather than return to their homes in the West Bank or East Jerusalem.

The Political Fallout

Israel’s decision to delay the release casts doubt over the future of the ceasefire, which was already on shaky ground. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the agreement, with spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou stating that Netanyahu is "deliberately stalling."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with the US secretary of state, at his office in Jerusalem on February 16, 2025. 

Adding to the complexity, the ceasefire agreement includes a second phase that would see the release of additional hostages in exchange for more prisoners. However, Israeli officials, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, remain adamant that any future agreements must ensure Hamas no longer exploits the hostage handovers for propaganda purposes.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Netanyahu from within Israel. The delayed release has fueled political tensions, with far-right elements of Netanyahu’s coalition already criticizing the high number of prisoners set for freedom. Others argue that securing the return of Israeli captives—both living and deceased—should take precedence over concerns about Hamas’ tactics.

For the families of the remaining Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity, time is of the essence. While Netanyahu has praised the return of six more hostages, he remains under immense pressure to secure the release of those who are still held—including individuals who have been detained for over a decade.

Whether the ceasefire holds or collapses in the coming days may hinge on whether Israel and Hamas can reach an understanding that prevents future hostage transfers from being turned into public spectacles. With both sides remaining deeply distrustful of one another, the path forward remains uncertain.