The Media Line: Report: Planned Prisoner Release Delayed; 602 Inmates Set for 8 p.m. Transfer

Multiple reports indicate that the planned release of 602 Palestinian prisoners following today’s hostage return has been delayed. Israeli officials informed Palestinian counterparts in the West Bank that the release will now occur at 8 p.m. this evening, according to Arab media outlets.

An unnamed Israeli source, quoted by several Hebrew-language outlets, stated, “Regarding the delay in the release of the terrorists — following the conclusion of [the prime minister’s] security consultation tonight, a decision will be made regarding the next steps, and the completion of the return of hostages’ remains at this stage.”

Hamas’ prisoners’ media office and the Palestinian Prisoners Club have published lists of the 602 detainees set for release, which include 50 prisoners serving life sentences. Of those to be freed, 445 were captured in the Gaza Strip after October 7 and are slated to be returned to the enclave.

One of the most high-profile names on the list is Nael Barghouti, the longest-serving Palestinian inmate in an Israeli prison. Barghouti, jailed in 1978 for killing a bus driver, is one of 47 prisoners re-arrested following their release in the 2011 Gilad Shalit exchange.

He is among the 41 scheduled for release, and he will be deported abroad upon his freedom. In a related development, six prisoners who were re-arrested after the Shalit exchange have refused deportation; they will remain behind bars, with six other inmates being freed in their stead.