Mediators between Israel and "Hamas" have reached an agreement to release Palestinian prisoners who were originally supposed to be released by Israeli authorities on February 22. The deal also includes the transfer of the bodies of Israeli hostages by "Hamas", "Reuters" reported, BTA reports.
According to a source at the agency, the exchange will take place under the auspices of Egypt, but the exact date has not been specified.
The armed group "Al Nasr Salah al-Din Brigades", an ally of "Hamas", said it would hand over the body of Israeli hostage Ohad Yahalomi on February 27. It was supposed to be handed over during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The three-stage ceasefire, which came into effect on January 19, is already nearing the end of its first phase and is being observed for now, despite mutual accusations of violations.
We recall that Israel postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners after "Hamas" handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages on February 20 – two children, their mother and another man. The UN later criticized the group for its handling of the bodies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was "angry at the monsters of 'Hamas'" and vowed to "eliminate" the Palestinian extremists after the group displayed the coffins of the four Israeli hostages.
In response, on February 23, Netanyahu's cabinet announced that Israel would hold off on releasing 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees until the release of the next Israeli hostages was guaranteed - and without humiliating demonstrations.