The BBC has issued an apology after what it described as "an error" in referring to Israeli hostages held by Hamas as "prisoners" during a recent broadcast. The incident occurred amid coverage of a hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in which hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are also being released. Palestinians criticised the media platform's double standards, noting that the BBC has never apologised for referring to Palestinian detainees as "prisoners" even though many are held in administrative detention for years without charge.