"Israel" delays Palestinian detainee release to ensure dignified captive return

The office of "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a decision to postpone the release of Palestinian detainees until Hamas guarantees that no ceremonies will be held for the future handover of captives.

According to Netanyahu's office, the ceremonies held by Hamas during captive exchanges are seen as "humiliating rituals."

The Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Commission and the Palestinian Prisoners Club confirmed that the release of Palestinian detainees by "Israeli" authorities has been postponed until further notice.

"Israeli" Army Radio reported that the detainees who were scheduled for release were removed from buses and returned to their cells.

Sources close to Netanyahu's office told Hebrew media that the delay in the release will continue until the remaining captives are recovered as part of the deal.

Earlier, "Israeli" sources had indicated that the release of Palestinian detainees was expected to take place soon, with the delay being attributed to the exchange of the body of "Israeli" captive Shiri Bipas.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Commission had prepared to receive the freed Palestinian detainees, and the Palestinian Red Crescent had also been ready to transfer detainee Kazem Zawahira from Hadassah "Israeli" hospital to a hospital in the West Bank as part of the exchange agreement.

Netanyahu's office's statement has put the release of Palestinian detainees on hold until Hamas assures that no exchange ceremonies will take place in the future.