Israel Delays Release of Palestinian Detainees, Accuses Hamas of Breaching Ceasefire Agreement Despite Commitment
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israel has postponed 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, allegedly accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire, despite the latter having handed over six Israeli captives earlier on Saturday.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced overnight into Sunday that it would postpone the release of Palestinian detainees, using unsubstantiated claims of Hamas violating the ceasefire agreement as justification.
Accusing Hamas of so-called “humiliating ceremonies” and the “cynical use of hostages for propaganda,” Netanyahu’s office declared that the scheduled release of Palestinian detainees on Saturday would be delayed until Israel secures the next batch of captives.
“In light of Hamas’s repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes, it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies,” the office’s statement claimed.
Hamas has condemned Israel for failing to release the seventh batch of Palestinian detainees as part of the agreed exchange deal, calling it a “blatant violation” of the truce.
“While Hamas responded to the efforts of mediators to make the exchange a success, war criminal Netanyahu continues to procrastinate,” Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou said in a statement on Saturday.
“We call on the mediators and guarantors of the agreement to exert pressure on the occupation to respect the agreement and implement its provisions without procrastination.”
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.
One of the six captives, Omer Shem Tov, kissed the foreheads of two Hamas fighters before his release during the handover.
The emotional gesture has gone viral, with the video circulating widely across Arabic and Hebrew media. Many have highlighted the gesture as a genuine expression of gratitude. The incident has also raised questions about the broader Israeli narrative and the treatment of prisoners.
Watch | An Israeli soldier captive kisses the heads of Al-Qassam Brigades fighters before being handed over to the International Red Cross as part of the prisoner exchange deal. pic.twitter.com/4ob2FGL0sh
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) February 22, 2025
No comparison between Gaza and Israeli jails⚠️
This would never happen should not they received very good treatment..
Released Israeli soldier kissing heads of Hamas fighters in front of the crowds before leaving Gaza.. pic.twitter.com/bqNkqHW4vx
— Motasem A Dalloul (@AbujomaaGaza) February 22, 2025
