The United States says it supports Israel for its decision to delay releasing 620 Palestinian prisoners, a key term agreed upon as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

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 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,

The release of 620 Palestinian prisoners is delayed, Israel said, “until the release of the next hostages is guaranteed.”

The Israeli prime minister's office said in the early hours of Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners planned for Saturday was delayed until the release of the next hostages is secured. Your trusted source for the latest news delivered weekdays from the team at U.