Hamas has dismissed reports claiming it agreed to exchange the bodies of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, stating that further negotiations on the Gaza ceasefire deal depend on Israel fulfilling its commitment to release Palestinian detainees.
On Sunday, February 23, Israel announced a delay in releasing over 600 Palestinian prisoners, despite the recent exchange of six living hostages and four bodies. Israeli officials accused Hamas of violating agreements by holding “humiliating” handover ceremonies.
In response, a senior Hamas official warned that Israel’s decision jeopardized the entire ceasefire agreement and urged mediators, particularly the United States, to intervene.
The temporary six-week truce, part of the deal’s first phase, is set to expire on Saturday, while indirect negotiations on a second phase and a potential end to the war have yet to begin.
Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi, in a Telegram statement, insisted that Israel must honor the agreement by releasing the 600 Palestinian prisoners originally scheduled for release on Saturday. He reiterated that Hamas had not changed its stance on further negotiations.
The denial follows a report from Asharq al-Awsat, a Saudi-owned newspaper, which claimed that talks between Israel and Hamas were progressing and could soon lead to the transfer of two hostage bodies. However, both Hamas and Israeli sources cited in Hebrew media have refuted these claims.
On Monday, February 24, Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that Israeli negotiators had informed mediators that they would proceed with releasing prisoners only if Hamas agreed to return four bodies without public ceremonies, referencing the remains of Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz.
Israel’s decision to delay the prisoner releases was attributed to Hamas’ “humiliating” public displays during previous hostage handovers.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the fragility of the ceasefire, stressing that a resumption of hostilities must be prevented at all costs. He also called for the “dignified release of all remaining hostages.”
