Gaza (Web Desk): Hamas is set to transfer the remains of four Israeli hostages on Thursday in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian detainees, signaling the end of the first phase of the cease-fire agreement in Gaza.
The United States has indicated that discussions for the second phase are progressing, although the complexities of the deal’s implementation have underscored its fragile nature.
On Wednesday, a large crowd gathered in Israel for the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her children, who tragically died in Gaza while being held hostage. Their deaths have become a symbol of Israel's painful ordeal during the hostage crisis.
The cease-fire, which has effectively halted much of the ongoing violence since October 7, 2023, has led to the release of 25 hostages alive so far in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
A senior Hamas official confirmed that the exchange would occur Thursday, with four Israeli bodies being returned in return for the release of over 600 Palestinian detainees. According to another official, this exchange will occur simultaneously.
Israel has agreed with mediators to facilitate the return of the hostages' bodies, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirming the development. In the United States, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated that Israeli representatives are heading to ongoing talks about the second phase of the cease-fire deal, which will likely take place in either Doha or Cairo, involving Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
Although the first phase of the deal is set to conclude on Saturday, the second phase of negotiations, originally expected to begin in early February, has yet to commence.
Hamas has expressed its readiness to release all remaining hostages in a single batch during the next phase.
However, Hamas also criticized Israel for delaying the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, accusing the country of jeopardizing the fragile truce.
Israel, on the other hand, has voiced concerns over the way hostages have been freed, with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling the handover ceremonies "humiliating."
Since the cease-fire began on January 19, Hamas has released 25 living hostages in highly publicized ceremonies, where armed fighters escorted the hostages onto stages adorned with symbolic slogans.
In exchange, Israel has freed over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. The International Committee of the Red Cross has called for the prisoner exchanges to be conducted with dignity and privacy, urging a more respectful process.
While Israel views the Palestinian prisoners largely as "terrorists" due to their involvement in attacks against civilians and security forces, Palestinians view their release as long-overdue justice, seeing these prisoners as symbols of resistance to Israeli occupation.
Despite accusations from both sides of violating the cease-fire terms, the agreement has largely held.
Israel, which vowed to dismantle Hamas after the October 7 incursion that led to nearly 1,200 Israeli deaths, is also facing mounting casualties.
The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that over 48,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict.