![A Red Cross convoy carrying Palestinian prisoners released in the third round of prisoner swaps between Hamas and Israel leave Israel's Ofer Prison heading towards Ramallah in Jerusalem on January 30, 2025. [Mostafa Alkharouf - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AA-20250130-36911261-36911254-ISRAEL_BEGINS_TO_RELEASE_3RD_BATCH_OF_PALESTINIAN_PRISONERS_UNDER_GAZA_CEASEFIRE_DEAL.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1)
The White House said on Sunday that it supports Israel’s decision to delay the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners, Reuters has reported. The Trump administration cited the “barbaric treatment” of Israeli hostages by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas.
Delaying the prisoner release is an “appropriate response” to the Palestinian movement’s treatment of the hostages, a statement from National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes claimed.
READ: Israel forces killed Gaza couple in their 80s after using them as human shields, probe finds
President Donald Trump is prepared to support Israel in “whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas,” Hughes added.
An Israeli opposition leader accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of violating the ceasefire agreement.
“Netanyahu ordered the delay in the release of the prisoner, blatantly violating the agreement and sabotaging the first phase, just as we warned,” said Yair Golan of the Israeli Democratic Party on social media. He accused Netanyahu of “abandoning” the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
READ: Hamas halts talks with Israel until release of Palestinians prisoners under Gaza ceasefire deal