Israel has postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners in response to what it describes as the “humiliating” treatment of hostages by Hamas during recent exchanges. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Sunday morning, condemning Hamas’s actions and announcing the delay.
The statement highlighted “Hamas’s repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes.” As a result, Israel has decided to delay the planned release of prisoners until assurances are received regarding the release of the next group of hostages without such “humiliating ceremonies.”
This decision follows incidents on Saturday where Hamas paraded five of six Israeli hostages in front of crowds during their release. Hostages Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, and Eliya Cohen were reportedly forced to pose with Hamas militants, kiss them on the head, and blow kisses to the crowd. They were also made to wear fake Israel Defense Forces uniforms, despite not being enlisted at the time of their capture.
Earlier, on Thursday, Hamas conducted a public display involving four coffins containing the bodies of Israeli hostages. The event, attended by a large crowd, featured a banner accusing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli military of causing the deaths. Among the deceased were young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, aged 4 and 10 months, respectively. Forensic analysis indicated that the children were strangled weeks after their abduction, and their bodies showed signs of mutilation. The body of their mother, Shiri Bibas, was initially not returned; instead, the coffin contained the body of an unidentified Palestinian woman. Shiri’s body was subsequently handed over on Friday night.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, expressed outrage over Hamas’s actions, stating, “For 16 months, Israel has been fighting a deranged terrorist organization that places no value on human life, especially if it is Israeli or Jewish.” He criticized international institutions, including the U.N., for not condemning Hamas and failing to demand the immediate return of Israeli hostages.
The United Nations responded with a statement on social media platform X, emphasizing that “Under international law, any handover of the remains of [the] deceased must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families.”
These developments have further strained the already tense relations between Israel and Hamas, complicating ongoing negotiations and efforts to maintain a ceasefire in the region.
