JERUSALEM

Days after Israel failed to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for six hostages held in Gaza, the government has agreed to a new exchange, indicating the fragile ceasefire remains intact for now.

The Egyptian-brokered agreement between Hamas and Israel will see the exchange of the final four bodies of hostages due to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire deal for the 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees who should have been freed last Saturday. Among the detainees are 23 children and one woman.

Israel had delayed their release in protest of what it said is the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas and demanding guarantees that future hostage releases would take place without “humiliating ceremonies”.

Hamas confirmed that an agreement with Israel had been made through Egyptian mediators, but did not specify how many Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees would be released.

An Egyptian official confirmed the agreement between Israel and Hamas had been  reached. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society says 69 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli detention since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, of whom 38 were detained in Gaza.

Hamas and its allies continue to hold 63 hostages in Gaza. At least 32 of those are believed to be dead, according to the Israeli government – one of whom, a soldier, Hadar Goldin, has been held since 2014. The 42-day truce between Israel and Hamas is set to expire on Saturday unless an agreement is struck to extend it. 

The two sides were meant to begin talks on a permanent end to the war in early February, but those discussions have not begun yet.