Israel has suspended the planned release of Palestinian prisoners following the chaotic handover of hostages by Gaza militants. The decision, announced on Thursday, comes amid concerns over the safety of future hostage transfers under the January 19 ceasefire deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered a delay in releasing Palestinian prisoners until they are assured of the safe departure of Israeli hostages in future exchanges.
“The release of the terrorists scheduled for today has been delayed until we can guarantee the safe return of our hostages,” Netanyahu’s office stated.
Israel was supposed to free 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 minors, in exchange for the release of three Israeli hostages. However, that plan is now on hold.
A Hamas official told AFP that the group is urging mediators to pressure Israel into honoring the deal.
Despite the delay, Israel later confirmed it had received assurances from mediators regarding the safe release of hostages in future exchanges. Another round of hostage and prisoner swaps was scheduled for Saturday, involving three Israeli men.
Chaotic Hostage Release Sparks Outrage
The latest developments come after militants in Gaza freed three Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals. Their release, however, took place in chaotic conditions.
Television footage showed armed militants struggling to control hundreds of Gazans who gathered in Khan Yunis to witness the handover. Netanyahu condemned the situation, calling it “shocking” and further proof of Hamas’s brutality.
“This is yet another proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization,” he said.
Israeli Hostages Return Home
The first hostage released on Thursday was Israeli soldier Agam Berger, 20. She was handed over separately to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
Before her release, footage showed her standing on a stage with masked Hamas fighters wearing green headbands. The militants prompted her to wave to the crowd before allowing her departure.
The other two freed hostages were Gadi Moses, 80, and Arbel Yehud, 29, both of whom also hold German nationality.
Israel’s military confirmed that all three Israelis and the five Thai nationals had safely returned to Israel.
The freed Thai nationals were identified as Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau, and Bannawat Saethao. Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed joy at their release.
“I am elated that our citizens are finally out of captivity,” she said.
Families of Palestinian Prisoners Left Disappointed
The suspension of the prisoner release caused disappointment among hundreds of Palestinian families who had gathered in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, to welcome their loved ones.
Raghed Nasser, 21, whose father has been imprisoned for 22 years, expressed her frustration.
“I am so tired. This isn’t fair. Look at all these families waiting, and now we don’t even know when we will see them,” she said.
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The January 19 ceasefire deal allows for a prisoner-hostage exchange, where Israeli hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7 attack are being swapped for about 1,900 Palestinians in Israeli custody.
Before Thursday’s exchange, Hamas had freed seven hostages, while Israel had released 290 Palestinian prisoners.
Disputes Over Humanitarian Aid
While the ceasefire has allowed more humanitarian aid into Gaza, Hamas officials have accused Israel of blocking essential supplies such as fuel, tents, and heavy machinery.
However, COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry body overseeing Palestinian affairs, dismissed these claims as “totally fake news.”
The war has left thousands of Palestinians displaced, with over 376,000 people returning to northern Gaza this week. Many have found their homes reduced to rubble.
Mohammed Al-Faleh, 33, told reporters he returned to find nothing left of his house.
“The biggest problem is that there is no water,” he said. “Food aid is reaching Gaza, but we have no gas or electricity. We bake bread over fires made from wood and nylon.”
Meanwhile, Israel has cut ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), accusing it of aiding Hamas. The move is expected to disrupt aid distribution, worsening conditions for Palestinians.