Overview

• Israel postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, originally planned for Saturday, citing Hamas's use of hostage handovers for propaganda purposes.
• Hamas staged public ceremonies for the release of six Israeli hostages, involving armed fighters, large crowds, and coerced performances by the captives.
• The Israeli government condemned these acts as psychological abuse and a violation of the ceasefire agreement, delaying the prisoner exchange until future handovers meet their conditions.
• Among the released hostages were individuals held for years prior to the 2023 conflict, while 62 hostages remain in Gaza, including 35 confirmed dead.
• International criticism has mounted against Hamas for its treatment of hostages, with the UN and U.S. officials calling the actions cruel and demanding the immediate release of all captives.