Gaza ceasefire negotiations advance as hostages' remains are returned

Breakthroughs in negotiations will lead to the release of Palestinian prisoners in a bid to facilitate further peace talks after the return of hostages' remains, as both sides remain cautious amid tragic losses.

Israeli and Hamas officials have reportedly reached a compromise with the help of mediators regarding the stalled Gaza ceasefire deal. Tensions flared after Israel postponed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners, citing concerns over the treatment of Israeli hostages released by Hamas. The militant group, for its part, labeled this action as a significant breach of the agreement.

Following this resolution, it is anticipated that the release of the prisoners will coincide with the return of the remains of four Israeli hostages, potentially on Wednesday or Thursday. This development aims to facilitate the visit of US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who is eager to initiate postponed discussions about the next phase of the ceasefire.

This breakthrough in negotiations coincided with a somber gathering in Rishon LeZion, where thousands of Israelis attended the funeral procession for hostages Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, whose bodies were returned by Hamas last week. The tragic loss of these young lives dates back to the conflict that escalated after the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, Hamas indicated that a delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s leader in Gaza, had returned from Cairo after successfully addressing the issues surrounding the delayed prisoner release. The statement confirmed that the Palestinian prisoners would be released simultaneously with the remains of the Israeli hostages, alongside the release of corresponding Palestinian women and children.

While there has been no official response from the Israeli government, sources have informed Haaretz that the four hostages' bodies are likely to be delivered by Hamas on the evening of Wednesday at the Kerem Shalom crossing. The families of the identified hostages—Shlomo Mansour, 86, Ohad Yahalomi, 50, Tsachi Idan, 50, and Itzik Elgarat, 69—have reportedly been notified, and Egyptian officials claim that the handover will occur without ceremonies in Gaza.

Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and several Western nations, warned that it would refuse to engage in indirect discussions about future ceasefire steps until the prisoner release was finalized. The initial terms included the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, including over 400 Gazans detained during the war and 50 facing life sentences, in exchange for six living hostages and four deceased individuals.

Thus far, the agreement has resulted in the release of 25 living hostages and four deceased, alongside five additional Thai hostages who were freed independently of the deal. The ceasefire conditions have also seen Israeli forces reduce their presence in heavily populated areas, enabling hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return home, with a significant influx of humanitarian aid now reaching Gaza.

Moving forward, the second phase of the ceasefire plan aims to facilitate the release of 57 remaining hostages, ensure full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and establish a permanent ceasefire. The hostilities between Israel and Hamas have been propelled by the events of October 7, which resulted in a reported 1,200 fatalities and prompted Israel’s military response to dismantle Hamas.

In the ongoing conflict, the Hamas-run health ministry has claimed nearly 48,348 fatalities in Gaza since the tension surged, alongside the displacement of a majority of the 2.1 million residents, as essential services face dire shortages and extensive infrastructure damage persists.