Israel indefinitely delays release of 620 Palestinian prisoners after Israeli hostages freed

Associated Press

Feb. 23, 2025, 1:29 a.m.

Statement by Netanyahu’s office demands assurance of ‘release of next hostages … without humiliating ceremonies’

Israel says the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be delayed “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies” at handovers of Israeli captives in Gaza.

The statement by Benjamin Netanyahu’s office came early Sunday as vehicles apparently carrying prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, only to turn around and go back in.