Hamas and Israel agree to resume exchange of hostage bodies for Palestinian detainees

Latest swap could happen as soon as Wednesday

Israeli hostages are released in Gaza on Saturday, but 620 Palestinian detainees were not released as agreed. EPA

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Hamas and Israel have agreed the release of four dead Israeli hostages and more than 600 Palestinian detainees – who were supposed to be freed during the last exchange – to end an impasse that has endangered the Gaza ceasefire.

Hamas said on Tuesday night that the agreement was reached under Egyptian supervision, adding that it was part of the first phase of the truce. Israeli media also quoted officials confirming that the deal was back on.

“An agreement was reached to resolve the issue of the delayed release of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be freed in the last batch,” Hamas said. “They will be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli prisoners agreed upon for transfer during the first phase, in addition to an equivalent number of Palestinian women and children.”

Hamas later named the four, due to be handed back on Wednesday evening without a public ceremony, as Itzik Elgarat, Shlomo Mantzur, Ohad Yahalomi and Tsachi Idan. The group's prisoners' media office said preparations were also underway at the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza to receive detainees to be freed by Israel also on Wednesday evening.

According to the Palestinian militant group, the agreement was reached during meetings its delegation, led by Khalil Al Haya, held with Egyptian officials, who are meditating between both sides, in Cairo.

Palestinian factions confirmed the exchange would take place on Thursday. Israeli media reported that the hostage bodies would be handed over to Egyptian authorities but The National was unable to confirm this.

Hamas on Sunday had accused Israel of endangering the ceasefire after it refused to release 620 Palestinian detainees, who were supposed to be freed in the swap the day before. Israel said the delay was in response to “humiliating” ceremonies held by Hamas during its release of hostages.

People walk around a makeshift memorial in front of portraits of late Israeli hostages Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, as well as Oded Lifshitz at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. AFP

It also cited violations of the deal when the remains of four dead hostages were returned to Israel last week. One of the four bodies handed over by Hamas was not that of Shiri Bibas, despite claims by the militant group.

Hamas admitted to a possible “mix-up of bodies” and released the correct remains the next day. Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, will be laid to rest on Wednesday, close to their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz from where they were taken hostage. The burial will take place in private but large crowds along the funeral route and at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv will pay their respects.

The Bibas family were among the most recognisable faces of the hostage crisis. Politicians in the Knesset held a minute's silence and President Isaac Herzog wrote on X that “all of us, an entire people with broken hearts, are accompanying them to eternal rest”.

“See, oh world, today we are bringing to burial the sweetest and most righteous of your children. Open your heart, oh world, join in the great cry that an entire broken people are crying out today,” he added.

Hundreds of people gathered at a small cemetery in Kibbutz Nir Oz on Tuesday for the funeral of the fourth dead hostage, Oded Lifshitz.

Since the ceasefire took effect on January 19, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages in public ceremonies across Gaza, where masked, armed fighters have escorted the captives on to stages decorated with slogans. Israel has released more than 1,100 Palestinian detainees.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement is due to end on Saturday. Under the terms, the second phase of negotiations would involve a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of all remaining hostages, release of more Palestinian detainees and a permanent ceasefire. But the exact terms of phase two have yet to be agreed.

Steve Witkoff, the US envoy to the Middle East, said he could travel to the Middle East on Sunday if negotiations on the next stage go well, Axios reported.