Hamas is using hostage releases as a form of psychological warfare, capitalizing on the empathy of the Israeli public and the media's coverage of the events. The releases have become theatrical and exaggerated, with the hostages being humiliated in public view. This plays into Hamas's desire to control the narrative and show that they are thriving despite the conflict. The Israeli media, out of respect for the hostages and their families, withholds certain information until they have been informed. However, the public nature of the hostage releases allows Hamas to continue their psychological propaganda.