Israel provoked another crisis in the Gaza ceasefire agreement, last night, by refusing to release the 620 Palestinian prisoners who were slated to be freed in return for the freeing of the six Israeli hostages that Hamas turned over to Israel yesterday. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced overnight into Sunday that it would postpone the release, using what Middle East Eye characterized as “unsubstantiated claims of Hamas violating the ceasefire agreement as justification.”
Israel accused Hamas of “humiliating ceremonies” and the “cynical use of hostages for propaganda” (one man among the last batch of released captives kissed the foreheads of Hamas members at a ceremony for his release). Netanyahu’s office declared that the scheduled release of Palestinian detainees on Feb. 22 would be delayed until Israel secures the next batch of hostages.
