Sun Feb 23 07:42:25 UTC 2025: ## Israel Delays Release of Palestinian Prisoners Amidst Hamas Ceremony Dispute

**GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM** – Israel has postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the January ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The delay, announced Sunday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stems from his objection to what he termed “humiliating ceremonies” accompanying the release of Israeli captives by Hamas. Netanyahu claims these ceremonies dishonor the released Israelis and are used for propaganda purposes. This new condition, not explicitly included in the initial ceasefire agreement, has sparked outrage from Hamas.

Hamas, which has already released 25 Israeli captives in staged handovers featuring masked fighters, accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging the agreement. A senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, cited other alleged Israeli violations including the deaths of over 100 Palestinians, insufficient humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, and the postponement of an Israeli withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor. He insisted that Hamas has fully adhered to its obligations.

The postponement has left hundreds of Palestinian families in Gaza and the West Bank anxiously awaiting the release of their loved ones. Many waited for hours on Saturday only to be disappointed. Al Jazeera reports that the decision to delay the prisoner release was made by Netanyahu against the advice of Israel’s security establishment.

The initial ceasefire, brokered after a devastating conflict, involved a phased release of prisoners. The agreement did not specifically address the manner in which the releases should be conducted, creating a point of contention that now threatens to unravel the fragile peace. Mediators are reportedly working to resolve the impasse. The future of the ceasefire and the release of the remaining Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives remains uncertain.

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