Israeli and Hamas officials have reached an agreement to exchange the bodies of dead hostages for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, preserving the fragile ceasefire between the two parties. The release of 600 Palestinian prisoners by Israel was delayed as a protest against what they deemed as the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas. This delay led to tensions, with Hamas considering it a serious violation of the ceasefire terms.
However, a breakthrough was achieved during a visit to Cairo by a Hamas delegation, signaling a resolution to the dispute. The agreement paves the way for the return of the bodies of four deceased hostages and the release of additional Palestinian prisoners as outlined in the ceasefire terms.
The exchange is expected to take place in the coming days, with reports suggesting it could happen as soon as Wednesday. The bodies of the Israeli hostages will be handed over to Egyptian authorities without a public ceremony, in contrast to previous public displays by Hamas that were deemed humiliating by Israel, the Red Cross, and U.N. officials.
Both sides are fulfilling their obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire, with Hamas returning 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. This development sets the stage for the next phase of negotiations, which are aimed at securing the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and negotiating an end to the conflict.
The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, brought an end to 15 months of intense fighting that began after Hamas' attack in October 2023. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed, according to Palestinian health officials, and an estimated 90% of Gaza's population displaced. The region's infrastructure and health system have been severely impacted by the hostilities.
