Israel has delayed an expected release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for returned Israeli hostages “until further notice,” the Palestinian Prisoners Society said early Sunday.

The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners was delayed for several hours and was meant to occur after six Israeli hostages were released on Saturday.

Hisham al-Sayed was the sixth hostage and was handed over to the Red Cross in a private exchange in Gaza City - Hamas has not explained why, but Israeli media reported it was "out of respect" for the Arab community in Israel, to which he belongs.

The six Israelis were the last living captives set to be released in the first phase of the cease-fire. The agreement, strained for weeks, has an uncertain future.

The White House said on Sunday that it supports Israel's decision to delay releasing 600 Palestinian prisoners, citing the "barbaric treatment" of Israeli hostages by Hamas. Delaying the prisoner release is an "appropriate response" to the Palestinian militant group's treatment of the hostages,

Israel says the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners is delayed “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies."

Mohamad Ali Harisi, foreign editor at The National News, discusses the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited ‘ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes.’

Hamas on Sunday said Israel has gravely endangered a five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners under the deal because of the manner it has freed Israeli hostages.The first phase of the truce ends early in March and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed.