Egypt, Qatar pressuring Israel to release Palestinian prisoners, report says

Egypt and Qatar are pressuring Israel to release 620 Palestinian prisoners it had pledged to free after Hamas released six captives from Gaza under the ceasefire deal, according to a report by the Associated Press.

An Egyptian official involved in the talks told AP that Egypt refused to discuss any Israeli demands until the prisoner release takes place.

In Khan Younis and the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, families who had waited for hours in the cold for the release of Palestinian prisoners were devastated after Israel's Prime Minister’s Office announced the delay.

Hamas called the move a “blatant breach” of the deal and announced suspending negotiations unless Israel frees the prisoners.