After a hostage-taking arrangement, Hamas announced on Thursday that it was ready to negotiate the second stage of the peace in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the discharge of more than 600 Arab prisoners it had held.
The two factors ‘ last exchange, which is scheduled to end this weekend, was this one. Negotiations have not yet begun for a second phase, where Hamas would relieve dozens of hostages in exchange for more hostages and a steadfast ceasefire.
The remains of all four victims who returned early on Thursday have been identified, according to an Israeli team representing the families of victims held by Hamas. They were identified by the Captives and Missing People Forum as Tsachi Idan, Shlomo Mantzur, Itzhak Elgarat, and Ohad Yahalomi.
Mantzur, 85, was killed in the October 7, 2023, assault and his body was taken into Gaza. The conditions surrounding the various three’s deaths were unknown, and the other three were still alive.
Hamas claimed in a statement that the “only approach” was through conversations and adhering to the contract for Israel to secure the release of the remaining victims. It cautioned that any deviation from the peace” will just result to more suffering” for the hostages and their households.
Hamas confirmed that over 600 prisoners had been released immediately. The majority of the prisoners were taken back to Gaza, where they had been detained after the October 7, 2023 assault that started the war and where they had been held without charge on suspicion of security concerns.
A happy gain for prisoners who have been released In the West Bank village of Beitunia, lots of captives were welcomed by masses of family and well-wishers.
The released captives wore shirts from the Israeli jail support that read “pursuing one’s foes” and some of whom had been serving life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis. Some of the captives threw the shirts on the floor or fixed them on fire.
Israel delayed the prisoners ‘ release on Saturday due to Hamas ‘ practice of parading hostages in front of crowds and devices while they were being released. Israel, along with the Red Cross and UN leaders, have called the ceremonies degrading for the victims.
Without a service or public recitation, Hamas in Gaza gave the bodies to the Red Cross immediately.
According to listings shared by Israeli authorities that did not specify their ages, the prisoners who were released on Thursday included 445 men, 21 teenagers, and one girl. In this round, only about 50 Palestinians were detained and sent to the occupied West Bank and eastern Jerusalem, and lots were imprisoned for killing Israelis in exile.
Next dispatch in ceasefire’s first period The latest handover was the last one planned under the ceasefire’s second phase, during which Hamas returned 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2, 000 Arab prisoners.
Idan’s home reported on Wednesday that they had been informed that he was dead and that his brain had been returned to Israel.
Idan was taken from the Nahal Oz Kibbutz. His eldest child, Maayan, was killed as extremists shot through the entrance of the mother’s secure place. As two younger children appealed for release from their homes, Has militants broadcast themselves holding the community prisoner in their house on Instagram.
The peace is in risk The ceasefire’s six-week initial period expires this weekend. U. S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East minister, Steve Witkoff, has said he wants the factors to move into discussions on the second phase. The first week of February was when those discussions were scheduled to begin.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to release all captives and end Hamas ‘ defense and governing structures, which are still in Gaza. Both targets have been supported by the Trump presidency.
However, it’s not clear how Israel would end Hamas without a new start in the conflict, and Hamas is unlikely to release the hostages that have been held hostage without a lasting peace.
The peace, brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, ended 15 times of conflict that erupted after Hamas ‘ 2023 assault on southern Israel that killed about 1, 200 individuals. Approximately 250 people were taken prisoner.
If the names of the four systems are confirmed, next 59 victims will be in Gaza, 32 of whom are believed to be dead. Nearly 150 people have been freed as part of peace negotiations or another arrangements, while eight captives have been saved alive and lots of body have been recovered by Israeli forces.
Israel’s military rude has killed more than 48, 000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities, who don’t distinguish between civilian and combatant murders but say over half the deceased have been women and children.
The fighting displaced an estimated 90 % of Gaza’s population and decimated the territory’s infrastructure and health system.
