Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to exchange the bodies of four dead hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, keeping a fragile ceasefire intact for at least a few more days.
The deal came after a delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya met with Egyptian officials in Cairo. The breakthrough appears to clear the way for the return of the bodies and release of additional prisoners under the ceasefire agreement.
Israel had delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday, citing concerns over the treatment of hostages during their release. Hamas has said the delay is a “serious violation” of their ceasefire and that talks on a second phase are not possible until they are freed.
The agreement would complete both sides’ obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire, which includes the return of 33 hostages – including eight bodies – in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The deal also clears the way for an expected visit by US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to the region, who wants the sides to move into negotiations on the second phase.
The ceasefire, brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, ended 15 months of heavy fighting that erupted after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 people in Israel and took about 250 people hostage.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-witkoff-a291db865dfd730c62e343e352cac94f