Hamas has announced the release of six Israeli captives and the handover of the bodies of four others as part of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s leader in the enclave, confirmed that the bodies would be returned on Thursday, while the living captives would be released on Saturday. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing negotiations aimed at solidifying a truce between Hamas and Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed the agreement reached through talks in Egypt, stating that the release of the six captives is part of the initial phase of the ceasefire deal. In addition to the six living captives, Israel will receive the bodies of four deceased captives on Thursday, with plans for another four bodies to be handed over later next week. This phase of the truce, which was brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, is set to expire on March 1, and discussions regarding subsequent phases have yet to commence.
Al-Hayya emphasized Hamas’s commitment to fulfilling the agreement responsibly and urged Israel to adhere to its terms without delay. He indicated that the handover of the deceased would include members of the Bibas family, who were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike last November. The family’s situation had raised concerns in Israel, particularly regarding the fate of the mother and her two children, whose deaths had not been confirmed until now.
The release of the captives and bodies is viewed as a pivotal moment in the negotiations for the potential second phase of the ceasefire. Al Jazeera’s reporting highlighted that Hamas’s decision to proceed with the handover was influenced by Israeli requests for the return of the bodies sooner than initially planned. Former Israeli Foreign Ministry official Alon Liel noted that the return of the bodies could have a profound emotional impact on the Israeli public, marking a day of mourning but still preferable to receiving nothing in return.
Despite the progress in negotiations, tensions remain high. Since the ceasefire took effect on January 19, reports indicate that Israel has violated the agreement multiple times, resulting in casualties among Palestinians. Additionally, discussions within the Israeli government suggest a possible return to military action in Gaza, with some officials advocating for a more aggressive stance.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire would begin this week, emphasizing Israel’s demands for the complete demilitarization of Gaza and the absence of the Palestinian Authority in the region. As the situation develops, both sides are navigating a complex landscape of political and military considerations, with the future of the ceasefire and broader peace efforts hanging in the balance.