Following the transfer of four deceased Israeli hostages by Hamas, Israel dispatched negotiators to Cairo for discussions on extending the ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that this initiative marks the beginning of a second phase of ceasefire negotiations. In a related exchange, Israel released 643 Palestinian prisoners, reciprocating the handover of the hostages' remains.
The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer of the hostages' bodies, with their identities and causes of death confirmed by Israeli authorities. Among the released prisoners was Nael Barghouti, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody.
This exchange concluded the initial phase of a truce, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, which ends on Saturday. During this phase, Hamas released 25 live Israeli hostages and returned eight bodies.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire, tensions remain high. Israel seeks to extend the current truce, while Hamas pushes for the next negotiation phase. The ceasefire's continuation is linked to the release of more hostages, as Israeli officials work to secure the freedom of the remaining captives in Gaza. This complex situation underscores the fragile nature of peace efforts in the region.
