Israel is set to receive the bodies of four hostages from Gaza on Thursday, with plans underway to secure the release of six living captives on Saturday, according to an Israeli security official. If both transfers proceed as expected, only four hostages—presumed dead—will remain in Gaza out of the 33 individuals slated for release during the first phase of a ceasefire agreement reached last month.
The ceasefire deal, brokered with the assistance of Qatari and Egyptian mediators, has managed to hold despite sporadic accusations of violations by both sides. The agreement calls for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, alongside a withdrawal of Israeli troops from key positions in Gaza.
Amid the hostage negotiations, Hamas has accused Israel of obstructing the delivery of essential housing materials, leaving tens of thousands of displaced Gazans to endure harsh winter conditions among the ruins caused by 15 months of intense bombardment. Israel, however, denies these allegations.
Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, acknowledged that a shipment of mobile homes remains stalled at the border. He emphasized that Israel intends to use any available leverage to ensure the release of the remaining hostages.
“Israel has a goal of bringing forward the release of the first-phase hostages, certainly the living ones,” Elkin stated.
So far, 19 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals—released in an unplanned handover—have been returned. Hamas reports that 25 of the 33 hostages in the first phase are alive, heightening the urgency for successful negotiations.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire discussions have been overshadowed by remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested relocating Palestinians and transforming Gaza into a U.S.-controlled waterfront development—an idea that has sparked international controversy.
Despite the distractions, officials confirm that groundwork for the second phase of the deal has commenced. This phase will focus on the return of the remaining hostages and the continued withdrawal of Israeli forces, marking another critical step in the fragile peace process.
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