Israel And Hamas Reach New Prisoner Exchange Agreement Amid Fragile Ceasefire

 Days after an expected prisoner exchange stalled, Israel and Hamas have reached a new agreement, signaling that the delicate ceasefire remains intact for now.

The Egyptian-brokered deal will see the release of the remains of four Israeli hostages in exchange for 620 Palestinian prisoners and detainees who were originally set to be freed last Saturday, according to an Israeli source. Among those detained are 23 children and one woman.

Israel had initially delayed their release, citing concerns over the treatment of hostages during their return and demanding guarantees that future releases would occur without "humiliating ceremonies." Meanwhile, Palestinian prisoner advocates have raised alarms about delays and the conditions of those held in Israeli detention. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society reports that 69 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody since the October 7 Hamas-led attack, with 38 of them from Gaza.

Last Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli hostages, marking the final exchange of living captives in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. The delay in the prisoner release led Hamas to accuse Israel of violating the truce and warned that negotiations for a second phase would not proceed until all detainees were freed.

Hamas confirmed the latest agreement but did not specify the number of hostages and prisoners to be exchanged. An Egyptian government official also verified the deal, and the Israeli source indicated that the release of the four hostage remains could take place as soon as Wednesday evening.

Hamas and allied groups are still holding 63 hostages in Gaza, at least 32 of whom are believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities. Among them is soldier Hadar Goldin, captured in 2014.

The current 42-day truce is set to expire this weekend unless an extension is negotiated. Talks for a permanent ceasefire were initially scheduled to begin in early February but have yet to commence.

Mourners Gather for Funeral of Slain Hostages

The latest agreement comes as Israel mourns the deaths of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, who were kidnapped during the October 7 attack and later killed in Gaza. Their remains were returned to Israel last week under the ceasefire arrangement.

Ahead of a private ceremony in Kibbutz Nir Oz, mourners lined the streets to pay tribute to the family. Nine-month-old Kfir, the youngest hostage taken, and his four-year-old brother Ariel became symbols of the plight of hostages held in Gaza throughout the conflict.

Their father, Yarden Bibas, was released on February 1 after 484 days in captivity. However, the return of Shiri and her sons’ remains initially caused distress in Israel, as their bodies were expected to be sent together but were instead accompanied by the remains of an unidentified Palestinian woman. Shiri’s remains were later returned separately.

Along the funeral route, mourners carried Israeli and yellow flags—symbols of the campaign to bring home the remaining hostages. The Bibas family issued a statement thanking the public for their support: “We see and hear you. We are moved and strengthened by you.”