Gaza: Agreement to exchange Palestinian prisoners for bodies of four Israeli hostages

Mediators in the conflict between Israel and Hamas have managed, under the supervision of Cairo, to reach an agreement for the release of Palestinian prisoners who were to be released last week in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages, the Egyptian state-linked Al-Qahera news media outlet reported on Tuesday. The Palestinian Islamist organization confirmed the agreement on Telegram, specifying that it is part of the first phase of the ceasefire reached with Israel.

On Saturday, Israel announced its refusal to release 620 Palestinian prisoners as planned after the handover of six Israeli hostages, citing the "humiliating ceremonies" surrounding the releases of captives in Gaza. Hamas had accused Israel of endangering the ceasefire in force since January 19. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged all parties to carry out prisoner and hostage exchanges "in a dignified and private manner."