Israel delays release of Palestinian prisoners over concerns about hostage handovers

Israel has postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, originally scheduled for Saturday. This delay follows the release of six Israeli hostages and is linked to concerns over the treatment of hostages during handovers. The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated that the prisoner release will not proceed until the next hostages are secured without "humiliating" ceremonies. Reports indicate that vehicles carrying the prisoners turned back to Ofer prison after the order was issued. This decision raises concerns about the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which is set to expire on March 1. The situation has drawn criticism for the treatment of hostages during recent handovers.