Israel has delayed the release of about 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday to protest what it says is the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas. The militant group has said that the delay was a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and that talks on a second phase aren’t possible until the Palestinians are freed.
Plans for the release later Wednesday of the hostage bodies were confirmed by Israel’s government and by Hamas’s military wing in a statement by Abu Obeida, spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, on the Telegram messaging app.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the releases of the bodies would be carried out without a ceremony, in a quieter fashion than past Hamas releases, when captives have been made to partake in highly stage-managed ceremonies.
Israel’s prison service said it was making preparations to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The Palestinian Prisoners Club, a group that represents current and former prisoners, said the release would happen at 11 p.m.