Israel Delays Release of Hundreds of Palestinians “Until Further Notice.”
Allison Bennett
Staff Writer
The Palestinian Prisoners Society reported early Sunday, February 23 that Israel has delayed an expected release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for returned Israeli hostages “until further notice,” CNN reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the postponement “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies,” of the handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza. This statement came as military vehicles that normally move in ahead of the buses carrying prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison, only to turn around and return to the prison. The decision came after Hamas returned the remains of an anonymous woman instead of an Israeli hostage killed in captivity. Hamas later handed over the hostage’s body.
On Saturday, six Israeli hostages from Gaza were released by Hamas in two public ceremonies and one private transfer. This is the final return of living hostages during the first phase of the ceasefire deal that began last month. The release of the remains of four more hostages is expected on Thursday, February 27. In exchange for Saturday’s release, Israel was expected to free 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 23 children and one woman, however, Israeli officials have delayed that release, says The New York Times.
The ceasefire deal paused the deadliest and most devasting fighting between Israel and Hamas, The Associated Press claims. However, there are fears the war will resume as negotiations on the ceasefire’s second phase are likely to be more difficult. Hamas has said it will release four bodies next week, completing the first phase of the truce, but continues to hold over 60 hostages. Hamas has previously said that it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, says he is committed to destroying Hamas’ military and governing capacities.
NBC News reports that the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club called this decision by Israel a form of “organized terrorism against the prisoners and their families.” The organization further accused Israel of abusing the prisoners and threatening their family members with arrest and death, saying “The prison system continues to torture the prisoners, and all the occupation agencies continue to threaten the prisoners and their families, which is an extension of a policy that it has used over many years, but it has clearly escalated during the recent liberation operations.”
NPR claims that an official familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly said the delay was “Israel’s attempt to extend the current phase of the ceasefire before it expires in one week and to seek the release of more hostages.” It is also reported that Israel is intensifying an offensive against a Palestinian militant stronghold in the Occupied West Bank, deploying tanks there for the first time in more than two decades. Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to keep troops in Palestinian refugee camps to prevent the return of displaced residents in the coming years.
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