Tue Feb 18 16:03:12 UTC 2025: ## Hamas to Release Six Israeli Captives, Bodies of Four Others This Week
**GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM** – A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas will see the release of six Israeli captives and the return of the bodies of four others this week, according to Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. The bodies will be handed over in Gaza on Thursday, with the release of the living captives scheduled for Saturday. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed the agreement, stating that the handover is the first phase of the deal brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt. This initial phase is set to expire on March 1st, with negotiations on a permanent ceasefire yet to begin.
The release is considered a significant development, potentially paving the way for negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire. Al Jazeera reports that the bodies to be released on Thursday include those of the Bibas family, killed in an Israeli airstrike last November. The return of these remains, along with the six living captives, has been a key demand of Israel. However, former Israeli Foreign Ministry director Alon Liel warned that the return of the bodies could be emotionally devastating for the Israeli public.
Despite the agreement, tensions remain high. Palestinian sources claim Israel has violated the ceasefire 266 times since January 19th, resulting in at least 132 deaths. Furthermore, statements from Israeli officials expressing desires for a military occupation of Gaza and the forced displacement of Palestinians, alongside conflicting signals regarding the next phase of negotiations, highlight the fragility of the peace process. While Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that negotiations on the second phase will begin this week, demands for Gaza’s demilitarization and the absence of the Palestinian Authority complicate the path to a lasting resolution.
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