Ceasefire in jeopardy? Israel 'cancels' release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners

Israel has announced that it is postponing the planned release of 620 Palestinian prisoners due to "repeated and persistent violations by Hamas."

It is learned that the prisoners were to be released yesterday - after Hamas militants handed over six live hostages to the Red Cross.

But as night fell, the prisoners had still not been released – and a “security consultation” was held between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and prison officials, writes sky news, the Telegraph reports.

Read too Six Israeli hostages released in exchange for 602 Palestinian prisoners

While they recently issued a statement saying: “In light of repeated and ongoing violations by Hamas – including shameful ceremonies that dishonor the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of captives for propaganda purposes – it has been decided to postpone the release of the terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the group’s next release.”

Five of the six hostages released on Saturday were reportedly escorted by masked and armed militants in front of a crowd - a display that the United Nations and others have criticized as cruel.

It was intended to be the largest single-day prisoner release in the first phase of the current Gaza ceasefire. /Telegraph/