In a decisive and forceful move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early Sunday that Israel would delay the scheduled release of Palestinian prisoners in response to Hamas' ongoing breaches of the agreement and its deliberate humiliation of Israeli hostages. This development underscores Israel’s unwavering stance against the terror group’s cynical exploitation of captives for propaganda.
Hamas' Exploitation and Degrading Spectacles
The decision follows a deeply disturbing video published by Hamas on Saturday, in which two Israeli hostages, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, were visibly distressed as they were forced to witness the staged release of fellow captives. The video, which sparked international condemnation, showed the two pleading for their freedom, while armed Hamas militants loomed ominously in the background.
Terrorist mom is very sad that she’s been waiting from AM until past midnight only to find out that’s no release is happening today.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 22, 2025
Netanyahu insists that no Palestinian prisoners will be released without assurances that the next hostages are freed without humiliating or… https://t.co/XzwtI0da6U pic.twitter.com/Syu45WNvfY
The psychological torment inflicted on these hostages was unmistakable. As they sat in a vehicle near the so-called 'handover ceremony' in central Gaza’s Nuseirat, they covered their faces in anguish, repeating desperate pleas for their release. Analysts widely believe that their exaggerated displays of despair were a direct result of coercion by their captors, a tactic long employed by Hamas to manipulate international narratives.
Hamas, in turn, attempted to manipulate the global discourse by accusing Israel of fabricating a pretext to delay the prisoner releases. "The claim that ‘handover ceremonies are humiliating’ is a lie and serves as an excuse for not respecting the agreement," the terror organization stated. However, Hamas conveniently ignored its own documented actions—broadcasting footage of additional hostages being forced to endure the ordeal before being abruptly dragged back into captivity.
Evyatar David & Guy Gilboa Dalal are best friends since the age of one and a half years . It’s unreal what they are going through. Kept in captivity in Gaza for more than 16 month now .
— Iris (@streetwize) February 23, 2025
Galia David, the mother of Evyatar said this morning : “We were horrified by the cynical… pic.twitter.com/Actif8S1a8
A Breach Too Far: Hamas Returns the Wrong Body
Israel’s frustration reached a boiling point after yet another blatant violation of the agreement by Hamas. As part of the exchange, Hamas had been expected to return the body of hostage Shiri Bibas, tragically killed while in captivity. Instead, the group handed over the corpse of an unidentified Palestinian woman, an outrageous act of deception that further fueled Israeli outrage.
Until Saturday night, Israel had refrained from taking immediate retaliatory action, opting instead to wait for the return of the latest group of six hostages. However, Hamas' continued dishonesty, coupled with its grotesque hostage ‘celebrations,’ led to Netanyahu’s firm decision to halt any further concessions until Hamas adheres to humane and transparent terms.
Hamas’ evil depravity knows no bounds. The inhumane treatment of innocent Israeli hostages forced to watch others return home while they were then taken back into captivity further exposes that this is a war is between good and evil.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) February 22, 2025
At the very moment that the video was…
The Chilling Display of Coffins and the Global Outcry
Hamas’ grotesque propaganda efforts reached a new low when it put on a macabre spectacle—parading the coffins of murdered hostages in a perverse display of triumph. The bodies of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel were showcased alongside the remains of peace activist Oded Lifshitz, who was kidnapped at the age of 83 and subsequently executed.
As if these horrific actions were not appalling enough, the planned return of Shiri Bibas’ body took an unexpected turn when Israel discovered that Hamas had, instead, returned the corpse of an unrelated Gazan woman. The revelation sent shockwaves throughout the country and reinforced the perception that Hamas is untrustworthy and incapable of adhering to any agreement in good faith.
Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal were at the hostage release ceremony—but they weren’t freed.
— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) February 23, 2025
Instead, they were forced to watch as other hostages were released, filmed as they begged to be released.
Just feet from the stage.
And feet from the Red Cross vehicles. pic.twitter.com/Xz4EOPiK7S
Military vs. Political Tensions Over the Hostage Crisis
The Israeli government’s decision to suspend the prisoner release has reportedly caused friction between the country’s political leadership and military high command. While Israel’s defense establishment has pushed for the application of continued pressure on Hamas—including reductions in humanitarian aid to Gaza—Netanyahu’s government has taken a more tactical approach, prioritizing hostage safety and diplomatic leverage.
At the eleventh hour, as Palestinian prisoners were already boarding buses for their planned release, Netanyahu intervened, calling for an emergency discussion that resulted in the abrupt cancellation of their transfer. His stance remains clear: Israel will not tolerate Hamas' sadistic games and will not release terrorists without ironclad guarantees of hostage safety.
The Next Phase of Negotiations: A Stalemate or a Breakthrough?
Negotiations remain ongoing for a second phase of the hostage release agreement, but the path forward is fraught with complexity. Of the 63 remaining hostages in Gaza, at least 24 are believed to be alive, according to intelligence sources. Israel is now demanding solid assurances that Hamas will continue releasing hostages before any new Palestinian prisoners are freed. Meanwhile, Hamas stubbornly insists on strict adherence to the original terms, despite its own repeated violations.
We must not forget the horrific moments from October 7th, the moments Guy Gilboa-Dalal was abducted into Gaza.
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) October 21, 2024
Guy was abducted from the Nova Music Festival early that Saturday morning, along with his best friend since the age of 1, Evyatar David. Four childhood friends from… pic.twitter.com/pva0XCIoNe
The six hostages released on Saturday—Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham al-Sayed—were the last living captives set for release under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. While David and Gilboa-Dalal are expected to be included in a second phase, no firm timeline has been established, and the situation remains fluid.
As Israel stands firm against Hamas' psychological warfare, the international community is watching closely. Will Hamas finally comply with its obligations, or will it continue to exploit the suffering of innocent hostages for its grotesque displays? One thing remains clear—Israel refuses to be manipulated and will not rest until every last hostage is brought home safely.
