Source Credit: AL ARABIYA
JERUSALEM: Israeli and Hamas representatives have reached an agreement, brokered by Egyptian mediators, to facilitate an exchange of Palestinian prisoners for the remains of four Israeli hostages. The swap is part of the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, 2025.
According to the deal, Israel was scheduled to release a group of Palestinian detainees on Saturday, while Hamas-affiliated groups in Gaza are set to return the bodies of the Israeli captives under Egyptian supervision. One of the deceased hostages, Ohan Yad Ha’Lomi, will be handed over on Thursday by the Al-Nasser Salah Al-Deen Brigades, a faction linked to Hamas.
The agreement is seen as a crucial step in maintaining the fragile truce between the two sides, following more than 15 months of intense conflict. It is also viewed as a potential starting point for broader peace negotiations aimed at addressing the deeper roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Meanwhile, a prominent Israeli opposition leader has suggested that Egypt should administer Gaza for the next eight years—a proposal that Egyptian authorities have firmly rejected. Cairo has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Palestinian interests while preserving regional stability.
