Israel has delayed the release of a Palestinian prisoner, among four inmates held in Israel, who were supposed to be freed as part of a hostage handover agreement. The move comes after a chaotic situation unfolded overnight, with reports of Palestinian militants firing shots and throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces during the handover process.
According to Israeli authorities, the prisoner, Bilal Kayed, was due to be freed on Monday as part of a 2016 agreement that saw Israel agree to release 1,000 prisoners and dismantle settlement outposts in exchange for Palestinian recognition of the Jewish state.
However, the handover was reportedly disrupted after Kayed refused to board the bus to his new home in Ramallah, prompting anger and frustration among Israeli authorities and tension on the ground. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with several militants firing automatic rifles and throwing firebombs at Israeli soldiers who tried to escort Kayed onto the bus.
Israel’s Shin Bet security agency chief, Nadav Argaman, said in a statement that the incident was “a serious breach of the agreement” and that Kayed would remain in custody. “The Israeli government will not be blackmailed by terror organizations and will not compromise its security,” Argaman said.
The move is likely to spark further tensions in the region, with Palestinian leaders already condemning the move as a “violation” of the 2016 agreement. The PLO’s Secretary-General, Saeb Erekat, called the delay a “stabbing in the back” of the Palestinian cause, and accused Israel of trying to undermine efforts to establish a two-state solution.
As the situation remains fluid, international diplomats are calling for calm and urging both sides to refrain from escalation. The European Union, in a statement, urged Israel to respect its commitments and implement the 2016 agreement, while also encouraging the Palestinian leadership to work towards a peaceful resolution. The United States, meanwhile, has called for restraint and respect for the agreement, while also noting that the delay is a setback for the peace process.
