Israel delays release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners after 6 hostages freed
The statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office came early Sunday local time as military vehicles that normally move in advance of the buses carrying prisoners left the open gates of Ofer prison, only to turn around and go back in.
The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners had been delayed for several hours and was meant to occur just after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday. It was meant to be the largest one-day prisoner release in the Gaza ceasefire's first phase.
Israel's announcement abruptly put the future of the truce into further doubt.
The Palestinian Authority's commission for prisoners' affairs confirmed the delay "until further notice." Associated Press video in the West Bank showed prisoners' families, waiting outdoors in near-freezing weather, apparently dispersing. One woman was shown walking away in tears.
Five of the six hostages freed Saturday had been escorted by masked, armed militants in front of a crowd — a display that the U.N. and Red Cross have criticized as cruel after previous handovers.
The Israeli statement cited "ceremonies that demean the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of the hostages for propaganda purposes." It was likely a reference to a Hamas video showing two hostages who have yet to be released watching a handover in Gaza on Saturday and speaking under duress.
The six were the last living hostages expected to be freed under the ceasefire's first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage. Talks on the ceasefire's second phase are yet to start.
The six included three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting family in southern Israel during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that triggered the 16-month war in Gaza. The two others were held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own.
Five were handed over in staged ceremonies. In one, Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov, acting under duress, kissed two militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. They wore fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when abducted.
Cohen's family and friends in Israel chanted "Eliya! Eliya! Eliya!" and cheered.
"You're heroes," Shem Tov told his parents as they later embraced, laughing and crying. "You have no idea how much I dreamt of you." His father, Malki Shem Tov, told public broadcaster Kan his son was held alone after the first 50 days and lost 17 kilograms (37 pounds).
Earlier Saturday, Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 38, were freed. Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli, entered Gaza in 2014. His family told Israeli media he has struggled with mental health issues. The Israeli-Austrian Shoham was taken from Kibbutz Be'eri. His wife and two children were freed in a 2023 exchange.
Later, Israel's military said Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, was released. The Bedouin Israeli entered Gaza in 2015. His family has told Israeli media he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Israel's government didn't respond to questions about the delay in releasing prisoners. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal, with spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou accusing Netanyahu of "deliberately stalling."
The hostage release followed a heartrending dispute when Hamas on Thursday handed over the wrong body for Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother abducted with her two young boys. The remains were determined to be those of a Palestinian woman. Netanyahu vowed revenge for "a cruel and malicious violation." Hamas suggested it was a mistake.
Israeli forensic authorities confirmed a body handed over on Friday was Bibas. Dr. Chen Kugel, head of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, said they found no evidence Bibas and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike, as Hamas has claimed. Kugel did not give a cause.
Hamas denied the Israeli military claim, based on forensic evidence and unspecified "intelligence," that its militants killed the children "with their bare hands," calling it a lie aimed at justifying Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
26 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Israel's Netanyahu set to give final approval for Gaza City takeover
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to give final approval Thursday for plans to take over Gaza City, an operation that could start within days. The widening of the 22-month offensive against Hamas appears to be proceeding despite protests in both Israel and the Palestinian enclave. Netanyahu was set to meet with top security officials to sign off on the plans, according to an Israeli official who was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity. It was unclear whether they would discuss a ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators that Hamas says it has accepted. The Israeli military began calling medical officials and international organizations in the northern Gaza Strip to encourage them to evacuate to the south ahead of the expanded operation. The military plans to call up 60,000 reservists and extend the service of 20,000 more. Israeli strikes meanwhile killed at least 36 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday, according to local hospitals. A renewed offensive could bring even more casualties and displacement to the territory, where the war has already killed tens of thousands and where experts of have warned of imminent famine. Many Israelis fear it could also doom the remaining 20 or so living hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. Israeli troops have already begun more limited operations in the city's Zeitoun neighborhood and the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, areas where they have carried out several previous major operations over the course of the war, only to see militants later regroup. The military says it plans to operate in areas where ground troops have not yet entered and where it says Hamas still has military and governing capabilities. So far, there has been little sign of Palestinians fleeing en masse, as they did when Israel carried out an earlier offensive in Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war. The military says it controls around 75% of Gaza and residents say nowhere in the territory feels safe. Hundreds gathered for a rare protest in Gaza City on Thursday against the war and Israel's plans to support the mass relocation Palestinians to other countries. Women and children held placards reading 'Save Gaza' and 'Stop the war, stop the savage attack, save us,' against a backdrop of destroyed buildings as Palestinian music played. Unlike in previous protests, there were no expressions of opposition to Hamas. 'We want the war on Gaza to stop. We don't want to migrate. Twenty-two months … it's enough. Enough death. Enough destruction,' said Bisan Ghazal, a woman displaced from Gaza City. In Israel, families of some of the 50 hostages still being held in Gaza gathered in Tel Aviv to condemn the expanded operation. Israel believes around 20 hostages are still alive. 'Forty-two hostages were kidnapped alive and murdered in captivity due to military pressure and delay in signing a deal,' said Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law, Eitan Horn, is still being held captive. Eitan's brother, Iair Horn, was released during a ceasefire earlier this year. 'Enough to sacrifice the hostages. Enough to sacrifice the soldiers, both regular and reservists. Enough to sacrifice the evacuees. Enough to sacrifice the younger generation in the country,' said Bar Goddard, the daughter of Meni Goddard, whose body is being held by Hamas. Additional protests are planned for Thursday night in Tel Aviv. Plans for widening the offensive have also sparked international outrage, with many of Israel's closest Western allies — but not the United States — calling on it to end the war. 'I must reiterate that it is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza, and the unconditional release of all hostages to avoid the massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would inevitably cause,' United Nations chief António Guterres said at a conference in Japan. At least 36 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including 14 who were seeking humanitarian aid, according to local hospitals. The Israeli military did not have any immediate comment on the strikes but has frequently accused Hamas militants of hiding among civilians and placing military infrastructure in civilian areas. Witnesses, health officials and the U.N. human rights office say Israeli forces have killed hundreds of people since May as they headed toward sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor, and in the chaos surrounding U.N. aid convoys, which are frequently attacked by looters and overrun by crowds. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots at people who approach its forces. GHF says there has been almost no violence at the sites themselves, and that its armed contractors have only used pepper spray and fired into the air on some occasions to prevent deadly crowding. Israeli airstrikes also destroyed a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, the only city in Gaza that has been relatively unscathed in the war and where many have sought refuge. Residents said the Israeli military warned them flee shortly before the strikes set the camp ablaze, and there were no reports of casualties. Families, many with children, could later be seen sifting through the ashes for the belongings they had managed to take with them during earlier evacuations. Mohammad Kahlout, who had been displaced from northern Gaza, said they were given just five minutes to gather what they could and evacuate. 'We are civilians, not terrorists. What did we do, and what did our children do, to be displaced again?' The Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday that at least 62,192 Palestinians have been killed in the war. Another two people have died from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total number of such deaths to 271, including 112 children, the Health Ministry said. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. It does not say whether those killed by Israeli fire are civilians or combatants, but it says around half are women and children. The U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Israel disputes its toll but has not provided its own. Hamas-led militants started the war when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Hamas says it will only free the rest in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Shurafa, Aljoud and Lidman write for the Associated Press. Abou Aljoud reported from Beirut and Lidman reported from Jerusalem. Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report from Tokyo.
The Hill
26 minutes ago
- The Hill
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Megyn Kelly reveal why Israel is losing MAGA support
There are few women more important in the conservative media ecosystem than Megyn Kelly. The former Fox News host has her own podcast empire, and is among the most influential pro-Trump voices in independent media. Though initially combative with Donald Trump while previously serving as a host at Fox, Kelly has become an ideologically reliable enforcer and promoter of pro-Trump views, particular on cultural issues. On foreign policy, she has been an ardent defender of Israel and the U.S.'s special relationship with that country. And so it really means something when even Megyn Kelly is sounding less than enthusiastic about what Israel is doing in Gaza, about the level of financial support the U.S. is supplying to Israel, and the amount of influence the Israeli lobby exerts on the U.S. government. On her show this week, she invited on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to discuss pro-Israel group AIPAC, and the sway it holds over other members of Congress. Like Kelly, MTG's MAGA credentials are unimpeachable. She is one of Trump' most reliable backers, and she believes in America First. But MTG is questioning whether reflexively supporting everything the Israeli government does is actually in America's best interests. She also resents the level of influence that AIPAC seems to exercise over her colleagues. Here is MTG explaining it to Kelly: 'Israel is the only country I know of that has some sort of incredible influence and control over nearly every single one of my colleagues. … I don't know how to explain it.' Elsewhere in the interview, Kelly does plenty of throat clearing. She says she has always supported Israel's right to defend itself, and still does. She would never ever side with a terrorist group. She's unwavering in that regard. But she knows that the ground is shifting. 'There's a contingent of people who are worried that they're 'losing me,' and I've said, you're not losing — I'm not on Hamas's side, but it's been a while now that this is going on, and we're getting more involved with the Iranian bombing and so on. My own feelings, I'm looking at Israel in a different way right now than I was on 10-8, that's for sure — of '23. And I can feel the pressure being slightly ratcheted up.' Megyn Kelly is not alone. The fact is that many, many, many people in the MAGA movement are becoming more suspicious of the Israeli government. That does not mean they are anti-Israel, and it certainly doesn't mean they're anti-Semitic. What it means is that Israel has a slow-rolling PR crisis on its hands. For decades, Israel has enjoyed unqualified support from Republicans and Democrats, and in exchange, the president of the United States was able to exercise some power over the Israeli government's actions in the Middle East. Presidents from Reagan to Bush to Clinton to Obama got to say, OK, enough is enough, we aren't getting dragged into World War III. But under the Biden administration that changed, as President Biden basically let Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do whatever he wanted in Gaza as a result of October 7. Even as that ultimately meant the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people, the utter destruction of Gaza, and the starvation of women and children. Israel's backers are now forced to present deeply uncomfortable arguments about how, well, such and such child is not really, starving, they were already very sick. These are not winning arguments, and MAGA is noticing. I've certainly noticed it — and I've been defending Israel's right to defeat the terrorist group Hamas for years. I've been uncompromising on this. But like Megyn Kelly, and like Marjorie Taylor Greene, I cannot defend an unending campaign that kills tens of thousands of children. I can't defend a foreign lobbying group sidestepping requirements that every other foreign government has to follow, like signing up under FARA. And I've never defended the aid money we send to Israel: Israel is a rich country with a lower debt-to-GDP ratio than the U.S. Let them buy our weapons with their own money. Which brings me to my last point. There are certainly elements of MAGA that want to back aid and support to Israel no matter what. I retweeted the MTG/Kelly interview on X, and Laura Loomer replied to me: 'MTG doesn't speak for MAGA.' True, she doesn't speak for everyone. But young, online, right-leaning MAGA folks are resentful of how much money we send to Israel. If Israel wants to restore its good standing with the America First crowd, they don't necessarily have to compromise their policies, but they should consider ending their reliance on our aid.
Boston Globe
26 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Israel's Netanyahu set to give final approval for Gaza City takeover despite protests
Advertisement Israeli strikes meanwhile killed at least 36 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday, according to local hospitals. A renewed offensive could bring even more casualties and displacement to the territory, where the war has already killed tens of thousands and where experts of have warned of imminent famine. Many Israelis fear it could also doom the remaining 20 or so living hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. Gaza City operation could begin in days Israeli troops have already begun more limited operations in the city's Zeitoun neighborhood and the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, areas where they have carried out several previous major operations over the course of the war, only to see militants later regroup. Advertisement The military says it plans to operate in areas where ground troops have not yet entered and where it says Hamas still has military and governing capabilities. So far, there has been little sign of Palestinians fleeing en masse, as they did when Israel carried out an earlier offensive in Gaza City in the opening weeks of the war. The military says it controls around 75 percent of Gaza and residents say nowhere in the territory feels safe. Hundreds gathered for a rare protest in Gaza City on Thursday against the war and Israel's plans to support the mass relocation Palestinians to other countries. Women and children held placards reading 'Save Gaza' and 'Stop the war, stop the savage attack, save us,' against a backdrop of destroyed buildings as Palestinian music played. Unlike in previous protests, there were no expressions of opposition to Hamas. 'We want the war on Gaza to stop. We don't want to migrate. Twenty-two months … it's enough. Enough death. Enough destruction,' said Bisan Ghazal, a woman displaced from Gaza City. Protests in Israel In Israel, families of some of the 50 hostages still being held in Gaza gathered in Tel Aviv to condemn the expanded operation. Israel believes around 20 hostages are still alive. 'Forty-two hostages were kidnapped alive and murdered in captivity due to military pressure and delay in signing a deal,' said Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law, Eitan Horn, is still being held captive. Eitan's brother, Iair Horn, was released during a ceasefire earlier this year. 'Enough to sacrifice the hostages. Enough to sacrifice the soldiers, both regular and reservists. Enough to sacrifice the evacuees. Enough to sacrifice the younger generation in the country,' said Bar Goddard, the daughter of Meni Goddard, whose body is being held by Hamas. Advertisement Additional protests are planned for Thursday night in Tel Aviv. Plans for widening the offensive have also sparked international outrage, with many of Israel's closest Western allies — but not the United States — calling on it to end the war. 'I must reiterate that it is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza, and the unconditional release of all hostages to avoid the massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would inevitably cause,' United Nations chief António Guterres said at a conference in Japan. Dozens killed across Gaza At least 36 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including 14 who were seeking humanitarian aid, according to local hospitals. The Israeli military did not have any immediate comment on the strikes but has frequently accused Hamas militants of hiding among civilians and placing military infrastructure in civilian areas. Witnesses, health officials and the U.N. human rights office say Israeli forces have killed hundreds of people since May as they headed toward sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor, and in the chaos surrounding U.N. aid convoys, which are frequently attacked by looters and overrun by crowds. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots at people who approach its forces. GHF says there has been almost no violence at the sites themselves, and that its armed contractors have only used pepper spray and fired into the air on some occasions to prevent deadly crowding. Israeli strikes destroy evacuated tent camp Israeli airstrikes also destroyed a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, the only city in Gaza that has been relatively unscathed in the war and where many have sought refuge. Residents said the Israeli military warned them flee shortly before the strikes set the camp ablaze, and there were no reports of casualties. Advertisement Families, many with children, could later be seen sifting through the ashes for the belongings they had managed to take with them during earlier evacuations. Mohammad Kahlout, who had been displaced from northern Gaza, said they were given just five minutes to gather what they could and evacuate. 'We are civilians, not terrorists. What did we do, and what did our children do, to be displaced again?' The Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday that at least 62,192 Palestinians have been killed in the war. Another two people have died from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total number of such deaths to 271, including 112 children, the Health Ministry said. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. It does not say whether those killed by Israeli fire are civilians or combatants, but it says around half are women and children. The U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Israel disputes its toll but has not provided its own. Hamas-led militants started the war when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Hamas says it will only free the rest in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. ___ Abou Aljoud reported from Beirut and Lidman reported from Jerusalem. Mari Yamaguchi contributed from Tokyo.
