Israel postponed the release of prisoners until Hamas ceased its ‘humiliating ceremonies.’
ADVERTISEMENT
Israel released 620 Palestinian prisoners as Hamas handed over the bodies of four hostages to the Red Cross early on Thursday.
Israel confirmed that the transfer of the caskets was facilitated by Egyptian mediators through an Israeli crossing, and that an identification process has commenced.
Approximately at the same time, a Red Cross convoy transporting several released Palestinian prisoners departed from Israel’s Ofer prison en route for the West Bank town of Beitunia. There, they were greeted by jubilant families, friends, and supporters.
Similarly, a sizable gathering in the Gaza city of Khan Younis welcomed hundreds of released Palestinian detainees.
This development occurred ahead of the projected end of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement, which went into effect on January 19.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deferred the prisoner release until guarantees for further hostage releases were in place and without the ‘humiliating ceremonies,’ which had put the truce in jeopardy.
