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Hamas has announced an agreement regarding the release of the four remaining Phase One hostages in Gaza, along with Palestinian prisoners who were not freed as scheduled on Saturday.
The group confirmed in a statement that the deal includes the simultaneous release of these prisoners and the bodies of the Israeli hostages, with additional Palestinian women and children to be freed as part of the exchange.
The agreement follows a dispute over Israel’s delay in releasing the Palestinian prisoners, which was triggered by Hamas transferring the remains of an unidentified woman’s body last Friday, falsely claiming it belonged to Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas.
This led Israeli authorities to postpone the prisoner release, citing Hamas’s repeated violations of the ceasefire-hostage deal and demanding further hostage recoveries before proceeding with the exchange.
According to Hamas’s statement, the bodies of the Israeli hostages will be released on Wednesday night through Egypt without an official ceremony. Only after the identification process is completed will the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners take place.
Israel Seeks Low-Profile Transfer
Israel has requested that the transfer of hostage bodies from Gaza to the Red Cross via Egypt be conducted discreetly to prevent celebratory gatherings.
Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on Tuesday night that Israeli officials made this request after previous hostage releases were marked by public displays and Hamas-organized events.
Reports indicate that in past instances, Hamas erected stages, invited local Gazans to witness the handovers, and displayed banners with slogans such as “victory of the oppressed people vs. Nazi Zionism” and “Palestinian fighters of freedom will always be victorious.”
The Israeli government has strongly condemned these actions, calling them a disgrace to humanitarian principles and demanding dignified treatment of hostage remains.
Global Condemnation of Hostage Parades
The international community has reacted with outrage after images surfaced of Hamas displaying the bodies of hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, alongside elderly hostage Oded Lifshitz.
The hostages’ remains were paraded on a stage in Gaza as crowds celebrated, leading to widespread calls for a dignified transfer of the bodies.
Israeli officials and global leaders denounced these actions, labeling them as inhumane and a violation of ethical standards. Many have reiterated demands for Hamas to adhere to international humanitarian law regarding the treatment of hostages and war victims.
The ongoing hostage crisis and its resolution remain central to negotiations between Israel, Hamas, and international mediators.
The Israeli government continues to emphasize that any further agreements will be contingent on securing the return of all hostages, both living and deceased, under conditions that respect their dignity and international humanitarian norms.
As the latest agreement is set to be implemented, both sides remain at odds over the broader ceasefire terms, with concerns persisting about further escalations and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members