JERUSALEM, Israel — Israel has postponed the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the “horrific” and “shocking” scenes surrounding the handover of Israeli and foreign hostages in Khan Younis, Gaza.
The exchange, part of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage deal, saw seven hostages — two Israelis and five Thai nationals — paraded through a large crowd under the watch of armed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants before being transferred to the Red Cross.
Netanyahu Condemns Hostage Handover
“This is additional proof of the inconceivable brutality of the Hamas terrorist organisation,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“I demand that the mediators ensure that such terrible scenes do not recur and guarantee the safety of our hostages.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office later confirmed that Israel had informed mediators it was delaying the prisoner release “until the safe exit of our hostages is guaranteed in the coming days.”
The delay comes amid heightened tensions, as previous hostage releases were conducted under tighter security, without the public spectacle seen in Khan Younis.
The Hostage Exchange: What Happened?
Eight hostages were freed on Thursday, January 30, 2025 — two Israeli civilians and six foreign nationals, including five Thai nationals.
The Israeli hostages were identified as Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Mozes, 80
The five freed Thai nationals were identified as Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao, Surasak Lamnao.
The handover of seven hostages took place in Khan Younis, where armed militants escorted them through a crowd of Palestinians, before transferring them to four Red Cross vehicles.
The chaotic scene prompted the Israeli government to question the safety of future exchanges.
The eighth hostage, Israeli soldier Agam Berger, was released separately in northern Gaza, in what Israeli officials described as a “quieter and more secure” process.
Thai Families React to Hostage Release
For the families of the released Thai hostages, the news brought immense relief.
“This is an indescribable feeling,” said Wilas Tanna, father of freed hostage Pongsak Tanna.
“When he returns, I want him to enter a monkhood. In Thai belief, it could get rid of all bad luck.”
Another freed hostage, Surasak Lamnao, was captured while working as a farm labourer in southern Israel on 7 October, the day Hamas launched its deadliest attack on Israeli territory.
“We will make a merit at the temple and hope this kind of bad luck will never return to our family again,” said his mother, Kammee Lamnao.
Israel’s Response: Prisoner Release Delayed
Under the hostage-for-prisoners deal, Israel had agreed to release 110 Palestinian prisoners on Thursday.
The Hamas Prisoner Media Office had announced that the group would include 30 children, 32 prisoners serving life sentences, and 48 prisoners with high sentences.
Following the chaotic hostage handover, however, Israel halted the release and demanded guarantees from mediators that future exchanges would occur safely.
Mediators Scramble to Keep Ceasefire on Track
International mediators—including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States—are now working to resolve the dispute and ensure the continued implementation of the temporary ceasefire deal.
Israel has also conveyed concerns over other hostages still held in Gaza, including female civilian Arbel Yehoud, whose release had previously been delayed.
“We view with great severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu stated.
“I demand that the mediators ensure that such horrific scenes do not recur.”
