Hamas announced on Tuesday that it will release the remaining six living Israeli prisoners, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, on Saturday, February 22.
اضافة اعلان
Hamas leader in Gaza, and head of the movement's negotiation delegation, Khalil al-Hayya, made the announcement in a video statement shared with Anadolu Agency. He confirmed that, as agreed, six Israeli prisoners will be freed on Saturday, including Hisham al-Sayed and Avraham Mengistu, who were captured in Gaza in 2014.
Al-Hayya also stated that Hamas would hand over four Israeli corpses on Thursday, February 20, including the bodies of the Bibas family. In return, Israel is expected to release the corresponding Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, in line with the agreement.
Furthermore, he indicated that the remaining bodies agreed upon in the first phase would be delivered in the sixth week of the agreement, set to begin next week.
According to statements from factions in Gaza, the total number of Israeli bodies to be handed over will be four. This action would complete Hamas's part of the first phase of the prisoner swap, where Israel is set to release 33 Palestinian prisoners (25 alive and 8 dead).
So far, Israel has released 1,135 Palestinians, including many serving life sentences. It is expected that 502 additional Palestinian prisoners will be freed in the coming weeks, bringing the total number of Palestinians released in the first phase to 1,737.
Al-Hayya emphasized that these decisions represent Hamas's continued efforts to successfully implement the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, with preparations underway for the second phase. He noted that the resistance is working tirelessly with mediators, especially Qatar and Egypt, to ensure the Israeli occupation fulfills its obligations, particularly with regard to humanitarian aid, heavy machinery, fuel, electricity alternatives, and facilitating travel through the Rafah crossing, among other terms.
Despite the progress on Hamas’s side, Al-Hayya expressed frustration with Israel's delays and attempts to avoid fulfilling the agreement, particularly in humanitarian matters. He reiterated the need for international guarantees to enforce the terms of the agreement as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2735.
Al-Hayya concluded by stressing that Hamas and the resistance are ready for immediate engagement in the second phase of negotiations, which includes a full ceasefire, sustained peace, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a comprehensive prisoner exchange.
