STATEMENT: Netanyahu’s office statement:

“We have decided to delay the release of prisoners until ensuring the next group of ‘hostages’ is freed without humiliating ceremonies.

“Hamas deliberately humiliates the dignity of the hostages and exploits them for political propaganda.”

Israel Decides to Postpone the Release of Palestinian Prisoners

ISRAELI MEDIA (Cited in Al-Jazeera): Palestinian prisoners were placed on buses but later taken off and returned to their detention facilities.

US MEDIA: Axios correspondent quoting an Israeli official:

The decision to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners was made after two security meetings held by Netanyahu.

Security agency leaders recommended not to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Commission of Detainees’ Affairs: Israel Postpones Palestinian Prisoner Release

The Commission of Detainees’ Affairs confirms that Israeli authorities have postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners indefinitely.

PRISONERS’ AFFAIRS AUTHORITY: The Prisoners’ Affairs Authority stated that it is preparing to receive the bus transporting released Palestinian prisoners.

AL-JAZEERA: Sources told Al-Jazeera that Israeli occupation intelligence informed families of Jerusalem prisoners at the Maskobiya detention center that their release is imminent.

ISRAEL HAYOM: The family of Israeli prisoner Shiri Bibas, whose body was handed over to Israel today, requested that no representatives from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government attend her funeral.

ISRAELI ARMY: The Israeli army stated that its air force targeted transportation routes on the Syria-Lebanon border.

AL-JAZEERA: Sources told Al-Jazeera that Israeli occupation forces raided the town of Beit Kahil, northwest of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, firing tear gas and sound grenades.

KAN: The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that Tel Aviv is delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners in the seventh batch of Phase 1 of the exchange deal, in response to Hamas sending a Palestinian body instead of Shiri Bibas.

FOX NEWS (citing Pentagon officials):

The Ansarallah launched surface-to-air missiles at a US F-16 for the first time.

The missile did not hit the fighter jet, which was flying over the Red Sea off Yemen’s coast.

On the same day, the Ansarallah launched another missile at a US MQ-9 drone.

These launches mark a significant escalation in military confrontations.

High-level discussions are underway in the US military on how to counter the Ansarallah.

Options include traditional counterterrorism approaches or sustained strikes.

KAN: The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that today’s security consultations will decide on next week’s steps and the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire.

CHANNEL 14: Israeli Channel 14 reported that the army plans to deploy tanks in West Bank battles for the first time since Operation Defensive Shield in 2002.

REUTERS:

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated:

Recent events remind us of the need to make every effort to reach Phase 2 of the hostage deal.

This concerns the lives of the remaining captives, including Germans.

AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN: Israeli Knesset member and Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman said, “We want all hostages released in one operation.”

ZAHAR JABAREEN, HEAD OF HAMAS IN WEST BANK (to Al-Jazeera):

We are working with mediators in Qatar and Egypt to resolve outstanding issues.

The resistance has not lost its leverage and can force the occupation to comply with the agreement.

Netanyahu’s interest lies in continuing the war, as the alternative is him facing trial.

We have informed mediators and the world that we are ready for Phase 2 of the agreement.

We proposed a one-time exchange from the start, but Netanyahu is the one delaying.

We aim to achieve our people’s goals, not just Hamas’s objectives.

We have been negotiating an agreement for 15 months, centered on ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza.

If the enemy wants a one-time exchange, we are ready.

ISRAELI MEDIA: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said it is time to “open the gates of hell on Hamas, return to war, destroy, and take revenge.”

ISRAELI PM’S OFFICE:

So far, 192 abductees have been recovered, including 147 alive and 45 dead.

63 abductees remain in Hamas’s custody.

The government is committed to continuing efforts to return all living abductees to their families and bury the dead with dignity.

CAPTIVES’ FAMILIES COMMITTEE:

The families of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza stated:

63 detainees remain in the hell of Gaza for the 505th day.

Netanyahu is obstructing the exchange deal to please his coalition partners at the detainees’ expense.

How can President Trump and his envoy Witkoff be more committed to the detainees’ return than Netanyahu?

We see and hear all attempts to obstruct Phase 2 of the exchange deal and abandon those still in captivity.

We know some are trying to convince Netanyahu to destroy Hamas’ rule, but this means a death sentence for the detainees.

The detainees must be returned first, then remaining issues can be addressed.

YEDIOTH AHRONOTH: The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s consultations today focus on releasing Palestinian prisoners and completing the recovery of Israeli detainees’ bodies.

ISRAEL HAYOM: The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom quoted the Israeli Prisons Authority stating that no instructions have been issued by the political leadership to begin releasing Palestinian prisoners.

CHANNEL 12: A decision on the steps for releasing Palestinian prisoners will be made after security consultations.

KAN: the release of Palestinian prisoners will be delayed until today’s security meeting, with decisions on next steps and the recovery of prisoners’ bodies to be discussed.

Families of Palestinian prisoners, gathered in Ramallah, await the release of their loved ones today, as Israel delays the scheduled release. pic.twitter.com/JOJDtyfcsd

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 22, 2025

AL-JAZEERA: Al-Jazeera’s correspondent reported that families of Palestinian prisoners are gathering outside the European Hospital in Gaza, awaiting the arrival of those released in the exchange deal.

Al-Jazeera’s correspondent reported that families of Palestinian prisoners are gathering outside the European Hospital in Gaza, awaiting the arrival of those released in the exchange deal. pic.twitter.com/WesnJyHLGF

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 22, 2025

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Palestinian sources reported hearing gunfire and an explosion in the Old City of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

Palestinian sources reported hearing gunfire and an explosion in the Old City of Nablus in the northern West Bank as Israeli forces were seen storming the area. pic.twitter.com/Jo7LvQ7eSy

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 22, 2025

HAMAS: Hamas strongly condemned the occupation’s false claims that the Bibas family children were killed by their captors, calling it a baseless lie to distort the resistance’s image and justify the occupation’s crimes.

AXIOS:

US envoy Stephen Witkoff recently met Israeli Minister Ron Dermer, who is leading Phase 2 negotiations.

Witkoff also met Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the main mediator in the talks.

The US envoy hopes the goodwill shown in Phase 1 will carry over to Phase 2.

There are no signs yet of the parties nearing an agreement on Phase 2 or extending Phase 1.

PRISONERS’ FAMILIES COMMITTEE:

The first phase has ended, and there is no framework to continue the deal.

The only way to bring everyone back is the full implementation of the agreement at once, without delay.

ISRAELI ARMY: The Israeli occupation army stated that the Red Cross received prisoner Hisham al-Sayed, who is now en route to a meeting point with Israeli forces. Earlier, Al-Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—announced it handed over al-Sayed without a ceremony “out of respect for Palestinian citizens of Israel.”

ISRAEL HAYOM: released Palestinian prisoners were given uniforms inscribed with, “I pursue my enemies and overtake them, and I do not turn back until they are destroyed.” The newspaper added that the prisoners’ bracelets were updated to bear the engraving, “The eternal people will not forget what happened. I pursue my enemies and seize them.”

COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The head of the Supreme Steering Committee for the Negev Arabs stated that the Qassam Brigades’ decision to hand over Hisham al-Sayed in Gaza without a ceremony was a gesture of respect for Palestinians inside Israel. The committee head added that Palestinians within Israel received Qassam’s message with pride and honor, viewing it as an expression of shared destiny and unity.

REUTERS: Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid stated, “The government must choose life over pain and move toward the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal.”

Yedioth Ahronoth reports that Palestinian prisoners, before their release, wrote on their cell walls: 'We will not forgive, we will not forget, and we will not kneel.'

This follows Israel's decision to force detainees to wear uniforms marked with the Star of David and a…

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 22, 2025

YEDIOTH AHRONOTH: Palestinian prisoners wrote on their cell walls before their release: “We will not forgive, we will not forget, and we will not kneel.”

REUTERS: Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated, “We are obligated to do everything possible to return the abductees from Gaza by all means and methods.” He added that completing the prisoner exchange deal is a moral act, and all prisoners in Gaza must be returned.

ISRAELI ARMY: The Israeli army confirmed receiving the three prisoners released from central Gaza. The occupation army added that it is preparing to receive the final prisoner, who will later be transferred to the Red Cross.

AL-JAZEERA: Sources told Al-Jazeera that Israel handed Hamas, through mediators, a list of women and children prisoners.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: The handover ceremony of three Israeli prisoners held by Palestinian resistance to the Red Cross has begun in Nuseirat, central Gaza.

AL-JAZEERA: Sources told Al-Jazeera that Al-Qassam Brigades decided to hand over Hisham al-Sayed without a ceremony out of respect for Palestinian citizens of Israel. Al-Qassam added that the occupation army abandoned this prisoner for 10 years because he is a Palestinian citizen of Israel, despite having served in its ranks.

The handover of three Israeli soldiers is currently taking place in Nuseirat, central Gaza, with large crowds and participation from all resistance factions.

Meanwhile, the release of the sixth captive, Hisham al-Sayyed, a Palestinian from the 1948 occupied lands, will take… pic.twitter.com/eSLeAn2qtz

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 22, 2025

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Red Cross vehicles have arrived at the handover point for Israeli prisoners in Nuseirat, central Gaza.

ISRAELI ARMY RADIO: The Red Cross is heading to the second handover site in Nuseirat, central Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prison Service announced preparations to release Palestinian detainees from Ofer and Ketziot prisons.

Hundreds of Al-Qassam Brigades members gather in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, preparing to release another group of Israeli detainees from the camp as part of the prisoner exchange deal. pic.twitter.com/bzOp6E3ATN

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 22, 2025

CHANNEL 12: The Red Cross’s initial assessment indicates the released prisoners are in stable condition.

HAMAS:

The resistance’s success in exchanging six prisoners today confirms its commitment to the agreement, while the occupation continues to delay implementation.

The handover reflects national unity among our people and factions, while the occupation faces internal division and mutual accusations.

The Israeli public has two choices: receive their prisoners in coffins or embrace them alive under the resistance’s terms.

We are ready for the second phase and prepared for a comprehensive exchange, including a ceasefire and occupation withdrawal.

We warn against the occupation reneging on the agreement and emphasize that negotiation is the only path to prisoners’ return.

Netanyahu’s attempts to escape his army’s defeat in Gaza by committing massacres in the West Bank will not break our people’s will.

Our treatment of prisoners is based on our religious and moral values, while our prisoners suffer torture and repression in occupation jails.

The occupation’s prevention of exiled prisoners’ families from traveling exposes its violations and defeat.

Our people and resistance will continue the struggle for land and holy sites until the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: Red Cross vehicles have arrived at the handover site in Rafah for the Israeli prisoners.

The handover ceremony of Israeli prisoners has begun in Rafah.

The moment Al-Qassam Brigades release two Israeli soldier captives in Rafah as part of the seventh batch of the prisoner exchange.

Avera Mengistu, held for a decade, has also been freed in exchange for 46 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.

In total, Israel will… pic.twitter.com/DDoa0g2FVF

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 22, 2025

CHANNEL 13: The Red Cross is en route to receive prisoners from Rafah, with authorities preparing to receive them.

AL-QASSAM SOURCE: A source in Al-Qassam Brigades stated that the handover ceremony will include a display of Israeli weapons captured during battles in Rafah.

AL-JAZEERA: A source in Al-Qassam told Al-Jazeera that Afra Mengistu and Tal Shoham will be released in Rafah, southern Gaza.

ISRAELI ARMY: The Israeli army is preparing to receive prisoners from two sites in Gaza.

PALESTINIAN MEDIA: The release of six Israeli prisoners will occur at two sites: Rafah and central Gaza.

CHANNEL 12: The forensic institute confirmed the body handed over to Israel is that of Shiri Bibas.

A 'special source' told Al-Jazeera channel that this Friday evening the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas, handed over the body of Israeli captive Shiri Bibas to the International Committee of the Red Cross.… pic.twitter.com/TETZcu1El5

— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) February 21, 2025

AL-JAZEERA: Israeli special forces raided the Airport Street area in Kafr Aqab, northern occupied Jerusalem.