Israel Delays Release of 602 Palestinian Detainees Despite Hamas’ Release of Six Captives
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli occupation authorities have delayed the release of 602 Palestinian detainees, as part of the seventh batch of the prisoner exchange deal under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, despite Hamas having handed over six Israeli captives earlier on Saturday.
Israeli media reported that the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees on Saturday has been delayed, pending a decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Netanyahu “will hold a security consultation this evening”, an Israeli official said on condition of anonymity, with a second source adding that “regarding the delay in the release of the terrorists, once the security consultation concludes, a decision will be made regarding the next steps” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Citing the Israeli Prison Service (IPS), the daily Israel Hayom reported that the political leadership has not yet issued instructions for the release of the Palestinian detainees in the current batch.
The Palestinian Detainees’ Media Office accused Israel of delaying the release, saying: “There has been a delay and excesses by the occupation regarding the release of the detainees.”
Nahed Al-Fakhouri, an official from the office, said in a statement: “The occupation assaulted the detainees prior to their release, and is attempting to manipulate some of the names of the detainees scheduled for release.”
Al-Fakhouri also confirmed that Hamas is prepared to release all Israeli captives in exchange for the release of all Palestinian detainees.
Earlier on Saturday, the Palestinian resistance in Gaza released six Israeli captives as part of the seventh batch. In return, Israel was expected to release 602 Palestinian detainees, including 445 abducted from Gaza during the assault.
