Israel will delay Saturday’s expected release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners until the release of the next hostages is guaranteed and “and without the humiliating ceremonies,” according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

The release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, scheduled for Saturday, was delayed following the return of six Israeli hostages under a fragile Gaza truce. Israeli officials said the release may

TEL AVIV — Hamas released six Israeli hostages early Saturday in three different locations throughout Gaza, in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees freed from Israeli jails. This is the largest number of Palestinian prisoners to be released at once since the beginning of the ceasefire which began in January.

Hamas has handed over to the Red Cross the first two of six Israeli hostages due to be freed Saturday under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Hamas is set to free six more Israeli hostages Saturday from the Gaza Strip, but the exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners is shadowed by heightened tension between the adversaries that clouds the future of the fragile ceasefire deal.