Hamas hands over final 6 Israel hostages under first phase; 620 prisoners' release delayed

Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Six living hostages are back home in Israel after Hamas released them in the seventh and final phase of the agreement as the handoff of 620 Palestinian prisoners was indefinitely delayed.

Early Sunday in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's said in a statement: "In light of the repeated violations by Hamas - including the ceremonies that demean our hostages and the cynical use of our hostages for propaganda purposes - it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists planned for yesterday until the next release of hostages is guaranteed, and without the degrading ceremonies."

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