The coffins of the four captives were placed on a platform with the writing “War Criminal Netanyahu and His Army Killed Them With Missiles and Zionist Warplanes” with the pictures of the four captives and Netanyahu in the background, where a handover agreement was signed between a Hamas representative and the Red Cross.Part of the preparations to hand over the bodies of four Israeli captives killed by Israeli missiles in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/27IJbZfT5w
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) February 20, 2025
Banners were also seen reading, “The Return of War = The Return of Your Prisoners in Coffins,” and “We Never Forgave nor Forgot, ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ was Our Promise.”Palestinian resistance groups handed over the bodies of four Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, who were deliberately killed by the army’s missiles during the genocide. pic.twitter.com/O3p9D6fC7y
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) February 20, 2025
In the background, the resistance groups displayed the “Zionist Nazism in Numbers,” including the numbers of Palestinians killed in detail and massacres committed during the assault.
The initial phase of the agreement, which spans 42 days, aims to exchange 33 Israeli captives for 1,900 Palestinians in three stages. So far, 24 living captives have been released, including 5 Tahi nationals, and four bodies.
Tensions had risen ahead of this phase of the deal.
Hamas said last week it is committed to the release of Israeli captives and upholding the ceasefire agreement, just days after the Palestinian resistance group announced it would delay the release of the three captives scheduled for last Saturday due to Israeli ceasefire violations, including shooting Palestinians in Gaza and not allowing the agreed-upon number of tents, shelters, and other vital aid to enter the besieged enclave. Israel responded by saying that if Hamas failed to free captives according to the schedule, it would resume its war.
In a statement, Hamas said it would continue implementing the ceasefire agreement, including the exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian detainees, “according to the specified timetable.”
Mediators also confirmed all parties remain committed to fulfilling the ceasefire terms, including the humanitarian protocol.
On Saturday, Hamas released three captives and on Tuesday it announced that it will release six living Israeli captives this Saturday and four bodies on Thursday, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and in preparations for the second phase of the negotiations.
Hamas 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.”
It noted these efforts “reflect the movement’s commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement as outlined.
It pointed out 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.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem confirmed on Wednesday that the group has proposed a deal for the release of all Israeli captives in Gaza. The resistance movement suggested exchanging the remaining Israeli captives for a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The proposal comes as part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Qassem emphasized that Hamas is ready for a “one go” exchange of prisoners. “We are prepared for the second phase, in which all prisoners will be exchanged, contingent upon a permanent ceasefire agreement and the full withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza,” he stated.
