The fragile Gaza cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was thrown into uncertainty Sunday after the Israeli government announced it would not immediately proceed with what would have been the largest single-day release of Palestinian prisoners since the truce was agreed upon in January.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited “humiliating ceremonies” orchestrated by Hamas during the release of Israeli hostages as the reason for the delay. The ceremonies, which included parading freed Israeli captives on stage during their handover, were deemed by Netanyahu as an affront to the dignity of those hostages.
“In Gaza, we have eliminated most of Hamas’ organized forces, but let there be no doubt, we will complete the war’s objectives entirely—whether through negotiation or by other means,” Netanyahu said on Sunday, also warning that Israeli forces “are prepared to resume intense fighting at any moment.”
The announcement has triggered deep concern among international observers and Palestinians alike, who fear that the postponement could unravel the already tenuous cease-fire. According to Nour Odeh of Al Jazeera in Amman, Jordan, the delay was made “against the recommendation of Israel’s security establishment.”
The delayed release involved 620 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom had been detained since October 2023 when Israel began a bombing campaign against Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas-led attack. The scheduled release was part of the first phase of a cease-fire agreement aimed at reducing hostilities and facilitating hostage exchanges.
Palestinian families, many of whom had gathered in anticipation of being reunited with loved ones, were left heartbroken as Israel announced the postponement. In Khan Younis, Gaza, Fatiha Abu Abdullah expressed frustration and despair. “We wait for them, to hug them, and see them, but Netanyahu is always stalling. God willing, they will be released soon,” she told Al Jazeera.
The delay has been condemned by Hamas, with senior official Basem Naim warning that “the enemy government is acting rampantly and exposing the entire agreement to grave danger.” Naim also called on the United States “to pressure Netanyahu and his government to implement the agreement as it is and immediately release our prisoners.”
The government media office in Gaza reported that Israel has violated the cease-fire agreement over 350 times since it began in mid-January, resulting in at least 92 Palestinian deaths and more than 822 injuries. These breaches underscore the instability of the truce and the devastating human toll of the conflict.
The humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by ongoing displacement and violence in the West Bank. The United Nations has confirmed that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from refugee camps in the West Bank. Jewish settlers, emboldened by Israeli government actions, have carried out violent attacks across the region, and Israeli officials have moved to expand a Jewish-only settlement in the West Bank by nearly 1,000 homes.
Menachem Klein, a professor of political science at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, noted historical parallels: “If we look at history in 1948 and 1967, immediately after the war Israel tried to change Palestinian demography to seize maximum territory—it’s doing the same now. There is a war and Israel tries to gain some demographic and geographic achievements to further base Jewish supremacy in the region.”
Tensions escalated further when Israeli warplanes flew at low altitudes over Beirut during the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the deployment was meant to send “a clear message: Whoever threatens to destroy Israel and attacks Israel—that will be the end of him.”
Meanwhile, Israeli troops are expected to remain in the West Bank for at least another year, according to Katz. This announcement follows the movement of Israeli tanks into the territory for the first time since 2002, signaling a deepening military presence.
Despite the delay in prisoner releases, six Israeli hostages were freed by Hamas on Saturday. The group included three Israeli men who had been seized from the Nova music festival and others who had been held for extended periods after entering Gaza on their own.
Some of the releases were carried out in public ceremonies that Israel criticized as degrading propaganda. The United Nations and the Red Cross also condemned these events. In one ceremony, hostages Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, and Eliya Cohen were paraded alongside Hamas fighters. Shem Tov, appearing under duress, kissed militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd.
The release also brought emotional reunions. Shem Tov embraced his parents, saying, “You have no idea how much I dreamt of you.” His father, Malki Shem Tov, told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan that his son had lost 17 kilograms (37 pounds) during captivity.
The 620 Palestinian prisoners meant for release include 151 serving life sentences or other penalties for attacks against Israelis. Almost 100 of the prisoners were expected to face deportation, according to the Palestinian prisoners’ media office.
Among them was Nael Barghouti, who has spent over 45 years in prison for an attack that killed an Israeli bus driver. Other detainees included 445 men, 23 minors aged 15 to 19, and one woman, many of whom were arrested without charges during the war.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military offensive has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily women and children. While Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 Hamas fighters, no evidence has been provided to support this figure.
The cease-fire agreement, already strained, now faces the risk of collapse. Hamas has said it will not release the remaining hostages without a lasting cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Netanyahu, backed by the U.S. administration, insists on destroying Hamas’ military and governance capabilities while returning all hostages, aims seen by many analysts as mutually exclusive.
Negotiations over the second phase of the cease-fire are expected to be even more challenging. The delay in prisoner releases, ongoing violations of the cease-fire, and continued displacement of Palestinians all cast doubt on the possibility of a sustainable resolution.
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