JERUSALEM/TEL AVIV/GAZA, Feb 27 – In a significant exchange amid a fragile ceasefire, Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages while Israel proceeded with the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The overnight swap marked the conclusion of the first phase of an ongoing truce in Gaza, which has so far withstood numerous challenges but is now approaching a crucial turning point.
The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has remained in effect despite intermittent tensions. However, with its first phase nearing completion this week, the next steps remain uncertain. Hamas has indicated its willingness to negotiate a second phase, emphasizing that the release of any remaining hostages will depend on a continued commitment to the ceasefire.
Final Handover of Hostage Remains
After days of stalled negotiations, Egyptian mediators facilitated an agreement leading to the transfer of the final four hostages’ remains in exchange for the release of 620 Palestinians. This group includes individuals detained by Israeli forces in Gaza as well as those serving sentences in Israeli prisons.
The handover of the hostages’ remains had previously been delayed after a controversial event in which Hamas displayed both living captives and coffins before a large crowd in Gaza. The act drew widespread criticism, including condemnation from international organizations. In contrast, the final transfer was conducted without public display or ceremony.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed receiving the remains of the four hostages, identified as Tsachi Idan, Itzhak Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi, and Shlomo Mantzur. These individuals were abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack from their homes near Gaza. The bodies are now undergoing forensic identification in Israeli territory, with official notifications to be provided to their families once the process is completed.
A previous complication in the agreement occurred when Hamas mistakenly delivered the remains of an unidentified Palestinian woman instead of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas. The correct body was transferred the following day, while the unidentified woman’s remains were returned to a Gaza hospital.
A full forensic examination will later be conducted by Israeli health authorities to determine the cause of death for the four returned hostages. According to Israeli officials, approximately 30 hostages have died in Gaza since their abduction, with causes ranging from execution by captors to casualties in Israeli military operations.
Mass Release of Palestinian Prisoners
As part of the exchange, Israel has freed hundreds of Palestinian detainees, including 445 men, 24 women and minors, and 151 individuals serving life sentences for attacks against Israelis.
The first wave of released prisoners arrived in the West Bank, with live footage capturing the moment as a bus carrying detainees left Israel’s Ofer prison and reached the city of Ramallah. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside, cheering as the freed individuals disembarked. Some were lifted onto shoulders, wearing green jackets and traditional keffiyehs.
Among those released was Bilal Yassin, a 42-year-old prisoner who had spent the last two decades in Israeli detention. Speaking after his release, Yassin expressed resilience and solidarity with the Palestinian cause, stating that the hardships endured in prison had strengthened their resolve.
Nearly 100 additional Palestinian detainees were transferred to Egypt, where they will remain until another country agrees to take them in. Meanwhile, ambulances arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, to transport freed detainees for medical evaluations.
In total, 580 prisoners and detainees have been released in Gaza as part of this exchange. The Red Cross is overseeing the transport of buses carrying these individuals, expected to arrive within hours.
Uncertain Future of the Ceasefire
This exchange is part of the initial phase of the ceasefire, which has so far facilitated the release of 33 Israeli hostages in return for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The agreement also involved the withdrawal of Israeli troops from certain areas in Gaza, allowing for increased humanitarian aid to enter the region.
However, as the 42-day truce is set to expire this Saturday, uncertainty looms over its future. It remains unclear whether the agreement will be extended, potentially allowing for more of the remaining 59 hostages to be released, or if negotiations will progress into a second phase of the deal.
With both sides holding firm on their conditions, the next few days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy prevails or if tensions escalate once again in the region.