TEL AVIV, February 23. /TASS/. Israel has decided to postpone the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners scheduled for February 22, saying Hamas needs to abandon the humiliating ceremonies for Israeli hostages leaving Gaza, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

"In light of Hamas's repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes, it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies," the office said in a statement.

Hamas released six hostages on February 22 as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel. In exchange, Israel was to have freed at least 602 Palestinian prisoners.