Ceasefire Agreement Sees Exchange of Four Hostages’ Bodies for Over 600 Detainees
Hamas has confirmed it will hand over the remains of four Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners. The exchange is scheduled for Thursday, February 27, as part of the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The United States has acknowledged progress in negotiations, with discussions for a second phase of the ceasefire deal already underway. The agreement has so far resulted in the release of 25 hostages alive in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
On Wednesday, thousands in Israel attended the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her two sons, who were killed while in captivity. Their deaths have become a tragic symbol of the hostage crisis. In response, the Israeli parliament held a moment of silence in honour of the victims of the October 7 attack.
A Hamas official stated that the exchange would be carried out simultaneously, while another senior leader claimed Israel had delayed prisoner releases, risking the stability of the truce. Israel cited concerns over how hostages were freed, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticising the process.
Meanwhile, US officials confirmed that Israeli representatives are travelling to Cairo or Doha for further negotiations, with the aim of securing the release of all remaining hostages in the next phase.
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Israel has freed over 1,100 Palestinian detainees, while Hamas has released 25 hostages alive in public events featuring armed fighters and political slogans.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has urged both sides to conduct swaps in a dignified manner, as perspectives on the exchange remain divided. While many in Israel view the Palestinian detainees as terrorists involved in violent acts, many Palestinians consider them symbols of resistance against Israeli control.
