Palestinian militants on Saturday freed two Israeli hostages, among the last live captives eligible for release under the first phase of a fragile truce that is also ex

Israel has indefinitely delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners, citing Hamas's "degrading ceremonies" and use of hostages for propaganda. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated the release will only proceed once more hostages are freed.

Under the ceasefire’s first phase, 19 Israelis have been released by Hamas so far in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails in a series of Red Cross-mediated swaps.

Hamas said it would carry out the ceasefire agreement “according to the specified timetable,” reversing a vow to delay prisoner releases over alleged Israeli violations.

Hamas on Sunday condemned Israel's decision to postpone the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, saying its claim that the hostages' handover ceremonies are "humiliating" was false and a pretext to evade Israel's obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was set to release 602 Palestinian inmates, including 50 serving life sentences and 60 serving long prison terms. The release plan included high-profile detainees such as Nael Barghouti,

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a delay in releasing Palestinian prisoners due to Hamas' humiliating ceremonies during the release of Israeli hostages.