Israel Prepares for Hostage Handover Amid Tensions with Hamas

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel is set to receive the bodies of four hostages from Gaza this Thursday while negotiating the return of six living captives on Saturday, according to an Israeli security official on Monday. These handovers align with a ceasefire agreement reached last month between Israel and Hamas.

If both handovers proceed smoothly, only four of the 33 hostages designated for release in the initial phase will remain in Gaza. This phase aims to facilitate an exchange of Israeli hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, alongside a withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The ceasefire agreement was brokered through the efforts of Qatari and Egyptian mediators and has largely remained intact, despite various accusations from both parties regarding violations. Hamas accused Israel of obstructing housing materials crucial for displaced Gazans facing winter in the remnants of what was left after over 15 months of Israeli bombardment. Israel denied these claims, with Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s security cabinet, noting that mobile homes are waiting at the border.

“Israel is determined to leverage any available means to secure the return of the hostages,” Elkin stated on public broadcaster Kan. Since the ceasefire began, 19 Israeli hostages have been released, in addition to five Thai nationals.

Hamas claims that of the 33 hostages scheduled for release, 25 are alive. However, significant concerns remain about the status of the four hostages presumed dead. Discussions regarding the second phase of the ceasefire are ongoing, focusing on the safe return of remaining captives and the conditions for concluding hostilities.

The Japanese group has also facilitated negotiations to address the humanitarian plight of Gazans. Meanwhile, Israeli forces are preparing a list of Palestinian detainees that they will release in exchange for the hostages.

The ongoing conflict escalated after Hamas launched a cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, capturing over 250 hostages and resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths in southern Israel. The retaliatory strikes by Israel in Gaza have reportedly led to over 48,000 Palestinian casualties, according to local health officials.

This fragile peace process faces challenges, particularly from external actors like U.S. President Donald Trump‘s recent calls to resettle Gaza’s population outside the territory, a move met with widespread criticism from Palestinian and Arab leaders. Moreover, as the second phase negotiations commence, the conditions for establishing lasting peace remain uncertain, with both sides now immersed in acute diplomatic discussions.

As recent events unfold, the people of both Israel and Palestine look to ensure the safety of their loved ones amidst ongoing conflict.