Israel instructed buses carrying Palestinian prisoners slated for release under the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas to return to prisons, an official involved in the operation told Reuters on Thursday.

Israel's Channel 12 reported that the decision to halt the release of Palestinian prisoners was made 'in protest' of the scenes outside Yahya Sinwar's home, where Israeli and Thai captives were exchanged for the prisoners.

A total of 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 children, are set to be released, in exchange for three Israeli and five Thai captives.