Israel postpones release of 620 Palestinians; Hamas frees 6 captives

By Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says the release of Palestinian prisoners planned for Saturday has been paused “until the release of the next hostages is guaranteed, and without the rituals of humiliation”.
Earlier, Hamas said Israel’s delay in releasing the seventh batch of Palestinians “at the agreed-upon time constitutes a blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli protesters rally in Tel Aviv calling for the return of all remaining captives after Hamas freed the six living Israeli captives slated for release in the first phase of the truce deal.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has confirmed 48,319 Palestinian deaths in Israel’s war on Gaza, while 111,749 people have been wounded. The Government Media Office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.