Israel, Hamas reach solution on new exchange to continue fragile ceasefire

Israel had earlier delayed the release of about 600 Palestinian prisoners to protest against the cruel treatment of hostages while they were being freed by the militant group.

By: Express Web Desk

February 26, 2025 05:35 AM IST

2 min read

A woman looks at photos of slain hostages Ariel Bibas, his mother Shiri, his brother, Kfir and Oded Lifshitz, right, that are displayed in the dining hall at Kibbutz Nir Oz, in southern Israel. (AP Photo)

Israel and Hamas officials said on Tuesday that an agreement has been reached between them to continue the fragile ceasefire in Gaza as the militant group will release the killed hostages bodies and simultaneously Israel would release the Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas had said that the delay in release of Palestinian prisoners is a “serious violation” of the ceasefire agreement and the talks on the second phase of the ceasefire deal wouldn’t be possible until the prisoners are released.

People wave Israeli flags before the funeral of former hostage Oded Lifshitz in Rishon Lezion, central Israel. Lifshitz was abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and his remains were returned from Gaza to Israel last week as part of a ceasefire with Hamas. (AP Photo)

Hamas’ delegation, led by the group’s Gaza chief Khalil Al-Hayya, met in Cairo and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement “with all its stages and clauses.”

“Palestinian prisoners will be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli prisoners (hostages) agreed to be handed over during the first phase, in addition to the corresponding Palestinian women and children,” Hamas said, quoted Reuters.

The Saturday deadlock over Israel not releasing Palestinian prisoners led to possibilities of a collapse in the ceasefire deal as the six-week first phase is about to end this weekend.

Also Read | Hamas says talks with Israel depends on release of prisoners, White House backs Netanyahu

The breakthrough between Israel and Hamas cleared the way to release the bodies of four dead hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Associated Press reported.

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Israeli officials on Tuesday indicated that Tel Aviv was considering extending the six-week first phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas in order to bring back the remaining 63 hostages, while putting off agreement on the future of the enclave for now.

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