Israel Postpones Palestinian Prisoner Release Amidst 'Degrading' Hostage Handovers
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Synopsis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners until Hamas stops its degrading ceremonies during the release of Israeli hostages. The decision follows a series of tense exchanges and the identification of the remains of hostage Shiri Bibas, who was murdered along with her young sons.
Key Takeaways
- Delay in Palestinian prisoner release announced by Netanyahu.
- Hamas's ceremonies deemed humiliating and propaganda by Israel.
- 602 prisoners included in the planned release.
- Shiri Bibas and her sons confirmed murdered by Hamas.
- Latest hostage exchange saw six Israeli hostages released.
Jerusalem, Feb 23 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that the planned release of Palestinian prisoners will be postponed until Hamas puts an end to its ‘degrading ceremonies’ during the release of Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Israel had intended to free 602 Palestinian prisoners, which includes 60 who are serving lengthy sentences, 50 serving life sentences, and 47 who were re-arrested after their release in 2011 in exchange for captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Netanyahu’s office stated, “Given Hamas's ongoing violations, including the humiliating ceremonies and the exploitation of our hostages for propaganda, we have decided to delay the release of the terrorists that was scheduled for yesterday until we can assure the release of the next hostages, without the degrading ceremonies.”
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages in widely publicized handovers. Videos have depicted masked Hamas operatives parading captives before assembled crowds, compelling them to wave, which Israel deems a propaganda stunt.
The postponement of the announcement follows a difficult period in Israel, marked by the identification of the remains of hostage Shiri Bibas, who was initially reported to have been mistakenly exchanged for an incorrect body.
On Saturday, Israel confirmed that Bibas, who was held by Hamas since October 7, 2023, was murdered along with her two young sons, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months, in November 2023.
This announcement came after Hamas initially delivered the body of a Palestinian woman instead of Bibas. Subsequent confirmations from Israeli officials revealed that the Bibas family had been brutally killed over a year prior.
The tragic incident resulted in the loss of three generations of the family. Bibas's parents, Yossi and Margit Silberman, were also killed in the Hamas-led attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.
Although Hamas was expected to return the remains of Bibas and her sons on Thursday, along with fellow hostage Oded Lifshitz, while the remains of Ariel, Kfir, and Lifshitz were confirmed, the fourth body provided by Hamas was not Bibas but an unnamed Palestinian woman.
In the most recent hostage-prisoner exchange, six Israeli hostages were released at different intervals on Saturday. Hamas shared videos showing the captives emerging from vehicles in Rafah, appearing frail and malnourished.
