The Palestinian armed group „Hamas“ announced today that it is ready to start talks on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, after several hundred Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons overnight, BTA reports.
The release took place after the handover of the bodies of four Israeli hostages, which was the last exchange within the first phase of the agreement, which began on January 19.
The second phase of the agreement provides for a final end to the war, which began in October 2023 after a series of attacks carried out by „Hamas“ fighters against Israeli towns and kibbutzim, to which Israel responded with a massive attack on the Palestinian enclave.
„Hamas“ stressed that the only way to free the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza was through a ceasefire agreement. In a statement, the group reaffirmed its full commitment to the truce and expressed readiness to begin negotiations on the second phase of the agreement.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said that the release of the 59 Israeli hostages remained a top priority, but warned that no agreement would be reached on the second phase of the ceasefire if „Hamas“ remain in Gaza.
He stressed that Israel is in a stronger negotiating position thanks to the support of former President Donald Trump's administration, which sent a large number of bombs to Israel.
Yesterday, Egyptian mediators secured the release of the bodies of the four Israeli hostages included in the first phase of the agreement in exchange for the release of 620 Palestinians.
Israel has refused to release Palestinian prisoners after the release of six hostages on Saturday, with “Hamas“ staging controversial ceremonies showing the captives to a Palestinian audience, drawing sharp criticism from the international community and the United Nations.
Israel has received the coffins containing the remains of the four dead hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed. Among the Palestinians released tonight were 445 men, 24 women and minors, as well as 151 prisoners convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis.
Meanwhile, a bus carrying some of the released prisoners arrived in Ramallah, where they were greeted with applause from a large crowd. The released prisoners spoke of their sacrifices and expressed confidence in the Palestinian resistance.
A further 100 Palestinian prisoners were handed over to Egypt, where they will remain until another country decides to accept them, Hamas and Egyptian media sources reported.