Netanyahu suspends release of Palestinian prisoners: Reason named

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained the reasons behind the decision to delay the planned release of Palestinian prisoners.

"In light of the repeated violations by Hamas — including the ceremonies that demean our hostages 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 degrading ceremonies," the office stated.

According to The Times of Israel, this statement could prompt Israel to withdraw from the ceasefire agreement, under which 25 live hostages and the bodies of four others had already been released. Meanwhile, 63 people remain in Gaza, at least two dozen of whom are still alive.

The publication adds that on Thursday, the transfer of four more bodies is scheduled in exchange for a larger number of hostages. This will be the last planned exchange under the first phase of the agreement.

However, there are currently no agreements regarding the release of live hostages.

This move follows the ceremonies held by Hamas on Saturday to release five Jewish hostages, forcing two still-held Israelis to watch and record a propaganda video. A sixth hostage, who is not Jewish, was released without fanfare.

It should be noted that recently, Israel accused Hamas of violating the hostage exchange agreement. Specifically, the country identified the bodies of four hostages transferred by the militants and found that among them were confirmed bodies of an elderly man and two children. However, the fourth body does not belong to the mother. Israel, in turn, is demanding the return of the deceased woman's body to her family.