Israel has agreed to release hundreds of Palestinian detainees as part of a new prisoner exchange, days after failing to do so in an earlier deal, an Israeli source and Hamas have confirmed.
The agreement, brokered by Egypt, underscores the fragile nature of the current ceasefire.
According to the Israeli source, the deal includes the release of the final four bodies of hostages in exchange for 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees who were supposed to be freed last Saturday. Among those set to be released are 23 children and one woman.
Israel had previously delayed the prisoner release, citing concerns over the treatment of hostages by Hamas and demanding assurances that future releases would take place without “humiliating ceremonies.”
Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups have condemned the delay and raised concerns over the treatment of detainees in Israeli custody. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society reports that 69 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli detention since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, including 38 from Gaza.
On Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli hostages in a combination of public ceremonies and a private handover, marking the final hostage release in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
However, Hamas accused Israel of violating the truce by delaying the prisoner release and stated that negotiations for a second phase would not proceed until the detainees were freed.
Hamas confirmed the latest agreement but did not specify the number of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees involved. An Egyptian official also confirmed the deal.
Currently, Hamas and its allies hold 63 hostages in Gaza, with the Israeli government estimating that at least 32 of them are deceased. Among the deceased is Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who has been held in Gaza since 2014.
