Israel Delays Prisoner Release as Tensions Escalate with Hamas

A planned exchange of prisoners stalls amid disputes over conditions, while military actions intensify in Gaza and the West Bank.

Israel postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners, citing Hamas's alleged exploitation of Israeli hostages for propaganda purposes.
Hamas handed over six Israeli hostages to the Red Cross but faced criticism for staging the transfers with armed displays and public ceremonies.
The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of two young children and their mother, whose remains were returned by Hamas, though an earlier mix-up of a body caused outrage.
For the first time in over two decades, Israeli tanks have been deployed in the West Bank, signaling a significant escalation in military operations near Jenin, a hotspot for Palestinian militancy.
Israel conducted airstrikes on Syrian-Lebanese border crossings, alleging Hezbollah's involvement in arms smuggling, which it claims violates the ongoing ceasefire agreements.