Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of the latest ceasefire deal with Hamas. The exchange comes after four Israeli hostages were turned over to Israel by Hamas, amid a fragile truce that began in January.
The hostages, whose names have not been officially confirmed, were aged between 49 and 85 when they were abducted. Their remains are being swapped for the released prisoners, who include minors and those convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis.
Hamas had previously misidentified a female hostage, leading to forensic specialists attempting to immediately identify the remains. Once confirmed, Israel was expected to release additional prisoners.
The exchange is the latest in a series of truces aimed at reducing violence between Israel and Hamas. However, concerns about the truce’s durability remain, with both sides having reasons to avoid resuming the war.
Israel has made preparations for a potential new campaign in Gaza, while Hamas seeks to give its forces time to recover and rebuild. Despite efforts by mediators, talks on the second phase of the agreement have yet to begin.
The release of the prisoners comes as relatives of those imprisoned wait anxiously in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Some had waited hours last weekend for their loved ones, only to be told that releases would be delayed due to Hamas’s refusal to hold staged displays.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/world/middleeast/hamas-israel-hostages-prisoner-release.html