Hamas has agreed to release the remains of four Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, according to Israeli officials and the group. This agreement resolves a dayslong impasse between the two sides.
The agreement is part of the first phase of a fragile cease-fire deal that is drawing to a close. However, negotiators have not yet reached terms to extend the deal into a more comprehensive truce. This raises concerns that the fighting in Gaza could resume.
During the first phase, Hamas had agreed to free 25 Israeli hostages and hand over the bodies of eight more in exchange for more than 1,500 Palestinians jailed by Israel. On Saturday, Hamas released the last living captives set to be freed in the first phase, and Israel was supposed to release 620 Palestinian prisoners in return.
However, Israel delayed the release of the prisoners, stating that they would not be freed until Hamas committed not to subject hostages to “humiliating ceremonies” during future exchanges. This raised further questions about the next steps for the cease-fire.
Late on Tuesday night, Hamas announced that a deal had been reached for the simultaneous release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remains of the four hostages. Omer Dostri, the spokesman for Israel’s prime minister, confirmed the agreement and stated that the swap would take place on Wednesday night or Thursday.
The impending exchange could be the last in the first phase of the cease-fire, leaving both Israelis and Palestinians in a state of uncertainty. Approximately 27 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others are still in Gaza, according to the Israeli government.
It is unclear whether serious negotiations on the second phase of the agreement have even begun, let alone produced results.
Mediators have been urging both sides to agree to a second stage. Steve Witcoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, was expected to visit the Middle East on Wednesday to advance the talks. However, his travel to the region has been delayed, according to a U.S. official.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/world/middleeast/hamas-israel-hostages-prisoner-release.html
