The Hamas has announced its readiness to engage in talks on a second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian organization stated that it is committed to upholding the agreement and only if the ceasefire is maintained can the remaining hostages be released.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, which went into effect on January 19, is set to expire on Saturday. Approximately 60 hostages are still in the hands of Hamas fighters, with the exact number of those still alive not publicly disclosed.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog reported that the four bodies handed over by the Hamas to Israel have been identified and that they are the same individuals previously announced by the Hamas. The confusion over the remains of a hostage that arose last week has been resolved.
Mediators had also reached an agreement on the release of Palestinian prisoners, which were originally scheduled to be freed by Israeli authorities on Saturday, as well as the transfer of the bodies of Israeli hostages by the Hamas.
According to a Hamas statement published on Telegram, the organization has “synchronized the process of transferring the bodies of the enemy’s prisoners with the release of our heroic prisoners.” The statement added, “Israel has no choice but to begin the negotiations for the second phase.”
The remains of the four Israelis were transferred to the Hamas without a ceremonial display, in exchange for the release of around 600 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons.