Egyptian mediators facilitate deal ensuring simultaneous release of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli remains as part of ceasefire agreement

Israel was scheduled to let go 620 prisoners on Saturday under the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in return for six captives freed by Hamas, but the Israeli government delayed the releases citing what it called “humiliating hostage handovers.”

Hamas released six living hostages on Saturday in separate locations of the Gaza Strip. Hours later, Israel said it would delay releasing Palestinian prisoners

The prime minister's office said handover would be delayed until the next release of Israeli hostages is secured "without humiliating ceremonies."

Israel delayed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners it had agreed to free on Saturday in exchange for the six Israeli hostages.

Hamas freed six hostages from Gaza on Saturday, the last living Israeli captives slated for release under the first phase of a fragile ceasefire agreement that began last month.