Hamas has accused Israel of fabricating excuses to avoid meeting its obligations under the fragile Gaza ceasefire, hours after the release of more than 600 Palestinians was delayed.
Families had waited for up to 12 hours in cold and wet winter weather to welcome the prisoners and detainees back into the West Bank and Gaza, before Israel announced it would not go ahead with the expected release.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the decision was taken in response to "repeated violations" of the ceasefire, including handover ceremonies which "demean the dignity of our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda purposes".
Hamas has condemned the decision, and said the process delivering hostages to the custody of the International Red Cross reflected "humane and dignified treatment."
"The occupation's claim that "the handover ceremony is humiliating" is a false claim and a flimsy pretext aimed at evading the agreement's obligations," Izzat Al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' political bureau said in a statement.
"The real insult is what our prisoners are subjected to during the release process, from torture, beatings and deliberate humiliation until the last moments.
"The Palestinian prisoners are released with their hands tied and blindfolded, and their families are threatened not to hold any celebrations to welcome their released sons".
In recent weeks, Palestinians released from Israeli jails have emerged from behind bars emaciated and seriously unwell.
Hamas has also criticised Israel for repeated breaches of the ceasefire, delaying specific types of aid being delivered to Gaza and firing upon civilians.
Father of released hostage says son was forced to kiss head of Hamas fighter
The United Nations criticised Hamas' display on Thursday, handing over four black coffins carrying the remains of Israeli hostages killed whilst in Hamas' captivity, as degrading and failing to respect the dead and their families.
On Saturday, one of the living Israeli hostages freed by Hamas was seen kissing the head of the one of the armed Hamas fighters standing alongside him on stage in Nuseirat.
Omer Shem Tov's father later told Israeli media his son had been directed by Hamas to smile, wave and kiss the man during the ceremony.
Mr Shem Tov and the five other men released by Hamas were the last group of living hostages slated for release during the initial six week ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas also released video of two other Israeli hostages watching the handover at Nuseirat from the back of a minivan, metres away from the stage.
The bodies of another four hostages are expected to be released later this week.
The current truce is due to expire on Sunday March 2, with little progress made so far on 'phase two' of the ceasefire.
Israeli forces ramp up operation in the West Bank
While negotiations on a lasting peace in Gaza continue, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have ramped up operations in the other occupied Palestinian Territory.
On Sunday it was revealed Israeli tanks had been seen near the town of Jenin, in the northern reaches of the West Bank — the first time such equipment has been used in the area in decades.
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced during the IDF's operations in the West Bank, fleeing areas in Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams.
The Palestinian Health Ministry says dozens of Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by the IDF and Israeli settlers since the beginning of the year, including a number of children.
Two 13 year old children were killed on Friday as a result of IDF gunfire, according to Palestinian authorities.
