Hamas Agrees to Release Remaining Living Israeli Captives on Saturday, Four Bodies on Thursday
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Hamas has announced that it will release six living Israeli captives on Saturday, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. Additionally, four more bodies will be handed over on Thursday, as part of the preparations for the second phase of the negotiations.
On Tuesday, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya announced the release of the remaining living Israeli captives, as agreed upon in the first phase, on Saturday. Six captives will be released, including Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu. Israel is expected to release Palestinian detainees as per the agreement.
Four bodies will be also handed over on Thursday, including the bodies of the Bibas family. In return, Israel will release Palestinian detainees as agreed on Saturday. The handover of the remaining bodies agreed upon in the first phase will continue in the sixth week.
Al-Hayya said such steps are part of the “ongoing efforts to successfully complete the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with the enemy and in preparation for engaging in the second phase, and in response to the efforts of the mediators.”
Al-Hayya noted these efforts “reflect the movement’s commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement as outlined.”
Al-Hayya pointed out to the importance of “holding the occupation accountable for fully implementing all terms of the agreement, without any exceptions or delays.”
This includes “allowing the entry of heavy machinery so we can recover the bodies of our martyrs from under the rubble, as well as the bodies of Israeli prisoners who were killed due to the Israeli bombing of our people.”
He said Israel continues to delay and avoid engaging in the second phase of negotiations, which was supposed to begin on the 16th day after the agreement was signed, adding Hamas is ready to engage immediately in negotiations to implement the terms of the second phase.
