Israel delays release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners amid ceasefire talks

•  The release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners is temporarily delayed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stalled the plans until Israeli security officials can meet.
• Hamas released the remains of Shiri Bibas, one of the Israelis who was taken hostage during a 2023 festival, kickstarting the current conflict.
• Talks on the ceasefire’s second phase are yet to start.

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The release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners is temporarily delayed. Israeli press reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stalled the plans, at least until Israeli security officials meet Saturday evening, Feb. 22.

The information comes from an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the meeting had not been formally announced. The Israeli official says discussions would focus “on the goal of returning all our hostages, alive and dead.”

The release is part of phase one of January’s ceasefire terms. Israel must release 620 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for six Israeli hostages. According to Palestinian lists, all six returned to Israel early Saturday.

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Who are the hostages?

Five of the six captives were handed over in staged ceremonies. Both the Red Cross and Israel have condemned these ceremonies as cruel and disrespectful. The five were escorted by masked, armed Hamas fighters in front of hundreds of Palestinians.

Israel’s military said the final hostage, 36-year-old Hisham Al-Sayed, was released after being in custody for a decade. Al-Sayed’s family told the Israeli media he crossed on his own into Gaza in 2015. The family added he was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Additionally, two hostages had been held by Hamas for around a decade after each entered Gaza on their own.

Meanwhile, two others were captured during the attack at the Nova festival on Oct. 7, 2023. That attack triggered the 16-month campaign in Gaza.

Shiri Bibas remains identified

On Friday, Feb. 21, Hamas confirmed that it had released the remains of 32-year-old Shiri Bibas. She was also among those captured during the 2023 festival.

It came after Hamas initially released remains Thursday, claiming them to be Bibas. However, Israeli tests concluded that the remains were those of an unidentified woman. The bodies of her two sons were released on Thursday. 

Hamas then released a second body Friday, which Israeli authorities confirmed was Bibas. Hamas denies claims it is responsible for the deaths of the Bibas children.

What’s next?

Once Palestinians are released, Hamas has said it will release four more bodies next week, completing the first phase of the ceasefire. After that, Hamas will be holding about 60 hostages, roughly half of whom are believed to be alive.

Talks on the ceasefire’s second phase are yet to start. Those negotiations are likely to be more difficult. Hamas would release dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu says he’s committed to destroying Hamas’ military and governing capacities and returning all the hostages. The Trump administration backs Netanyahu’s sentiment.