The Prime Minister's Office announced late Saturday night that the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until the release of the next group of hostages is guaranteed and Hamas ceases its humiliation ceremonies. The prisoners, who had already boarded buses for release, were returned to prison following direct orders from Israel's political leadership.
In an official statement, the Prime Minister's Office declared, "Due to Hamas's repeated violations – including ceremonies that demean our hostages' dignity and cynical use of hostages for propaganda purposes – it was decided to delay the planned release of prisoners until the next hostage release is guaranteed, without humiliation ceremonies." Sources indicate that Israeli officials are seeking to receive the bodies of deceased hostages before proceeding with the release of 600 prisoners who were scheduled to be freed on Saturday.
The Israeli response follows Hamas' attempt to substitute the body of a Gaza woman for that of Shiri Bibas on Thursday, an act Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced as a "serious attempt at deception." Bibas's body was ultimately transferred to Israel late Thursday night and officially identified.
Following the positive identification of children Kfir and Ariel Bibas, IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari revealed disturbing details: "Contrary to Hamas's lies, they were not killed in an airstrike. The terrorists did not kill them by shooting, they killed them with their hands. Afterward, they committed horrible acts to obscure the atrocity. Our forensic and intelligence findings support this. We have shared this with partners worldwide." These revelations sent shockwaves through Israel and the international community. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed the nation's grief: "The nation's heart is broken by the kidnapping and cruel murder of Shiri and her children – Ariel and Kfir of blessed memory. We share the profound grief of the Bibas family and embrace them warmly. We will not forget and we will not forgive."
The situation intensified on Saturday when Hamas forced hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David to witness their friends' release ceremony from within a vehicle before returning them to captivity, adding another layer to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
