Israel Freezes Prisoner Release After Chaos in Khan Yunis

By: Pesach Benson  – TPS

Israeli authorities froze the planned release of 110 imprisoned Palestinian terrorists in protest against the scenes of chaos in Khan Yunis as Israeli hostages Gadi Moses and Arbel Yehud were handed over to the Red Cross on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, have ordered the delay in the release of the terrorists scheduled to be released today – until the safe exit of our hostages is guaranteed in the next few days,” said a statement released by Netanyahu’s office.

Footage showed a mob of Palestinians pressing against masked Hamas gunmen surrounding Yehud who had a look of fear on her face. It took one hour to transfer Moses and Yehud by foot from a Palestinian Islamic Jihad van to Red Cross vehicles, and another hour till the Red Cross was able to depart.

terrorist in Gaza have many sympathizer in the United States and thank God for For Trump we hope he’s gonna get rid of them. All of them must be deported. https://t.co/SG3y58wFmm

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) January 30, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced scenes of Palestinians mobbing the Red Cross convoy of hostages in Khan Yunis as “horrifying.”

“I view with great severity the horrifying scenes during the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “This is further proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization. I demand that the mediators ensure that such horrific scenes do not occur again, and to guarantee the safety of our hostages.”

“Whoever dares to harm our hostages – may his blood be on his head,” Netanyahu added.

Israel also sent a protest to Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Hamas insisted on handing over the two on the grounds of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s demolished home. Hamas also insisted that Moses and Yehud make their way on foot despite the distance and crowd.

All eight of the Israeli and Thai hostages due to be released on Thursday are now in Israeli custody.

From Al Jazeera network, Hamas favorite television sympathizer @AJEnglish #Hamas https://t.co/HZPLJlUXwt

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) January 30, 2025

Agam Berger was released first in the northern Gaza area of Jabaliya. Before being handed over to the Red Cross, she was made to wear olive green clothing resembling an army uniform, paraded across a stage and given a “gift bag.” After being reunited with her parents, she was taken by helicopter to the Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.

The five Thai nationals were identified as Pongsak Tanna, 35; Sathian Suwankam, 34; Sriaoun Watchara, 33; Bannawat Seathao and Surasak Lamnau, 31. All five were agricultural workers abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Of the 110 terrorists slated for release on Thursday 66 were to return to their homes to Judea and Samaria, 14 to eastern Jerusalem and nine were to be deported to Gaza. Another 21 were to be deported to third countries via Gaza. The prisoners are currently waiting at the Ofer and K’tziot Prisons.

The first phase of the ceasefire is supposed to see a total of 33 Israeli hostages freed over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian terrorists imprisoned in Israel. The exact number will depend on how many are alive. Arbel is the eighth of the 33 hostages released since the ceasefire began.

The fate of the remaining 65 hostages will be determined by negotiations to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire. Critics say the phased approach condemns hostages not freed in the beginning to open-ended captivity and undermines Israel’s war gains.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 82 remaining hostages, 35 have been declared dead. (tps.co.il)