Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The move comes after a fragile truce in Gaza, which is set to end this week. The ceasefire’s first phase, which included the release of 620 Palestinians, largely held despite setbacks.
The final handover took place after days of impasse, with Egyptian mediators securing the deal. However, the fate of the remaining hostages and the next phase of the ceasefire remains unclear.
Israel received coffins carrying the remains of the four hostages, including those abducted during an October 7, 2023, attack from their kibbutz homes near Gaza. The bodies were undergoing initial identification in Israeli territory before being handed over to Hamas.
In return for the hostages’ release, Israel freed around 580 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Gaza, according to Hamas. The Palestinian detainees included 445 men, 24 women, and minors, as well as 151 prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis.
The first phase of the ceasefire was part of a larger deal that also included the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some positions in Gaza and an influx of aid. However, with the truce due to expire on Saturday, it remains unclear whether negotiations can begin on a second stage of the deal or if more hostages will be released.
The fate of the 59 remaining hostages is still uncertain, and Hamas has stated that they will only be freed through commitment to the ceasefire. The situation remains tense as the world waits for news on the next phase of the fragile truce in Gaza.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/mediators-agree-swap-palestinian-prisoners-israeli-hostages-bodies-source-says-2025-02-26