Hamas says deal reached with Israel to release more than 600 Palestinians

After upholding its side of the ceasefire agreement by releasing six Israeli captives from Gaza, Hamas claims to have reached a settlement to put an end to Israel’s delay in releasing 620 Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be freed last week.

Hamas confirmed on Wednesday that Israel will release four Palestinian captives’ bodies on Thursday, while the organization will also hand over the bodies of the four of them.

Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, said the exchange was expected to take place on Thursday, with Egypt overseeing the process to ensure that both sides fulfil their commitments.

Hamas accused Israel of “sabotaging” the Gaza truce by delaying the release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday. Israel justified the delay by citing concerns about the large-scale public demonstrations that the Israelis had to go through. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the procedure as “humiliating ceremonies.”

The latest agreement would complete both sides ‘ obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire, during which Hamas is returning 33 captives, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2, 000 Palestinian prisoners.

The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is still being discussed, according to Washington’s Middle East envoy. On Saturday, the first phase is expected to conclude.

“We’re making a lot of progress. Steve Witkoff stated at a meeting for the American Jewish Committee that Israel is currently sending a team.

“It’s either going to be in Doha or in Cairo, where negotiations will begin again with the Egyptians and the Qataris”, he said.

Conversations were supposed to begin a few weeks ago, but they were a failure.

Witkoff, who is scheduled to visit the area in the coming days, has stated that he wants the parties to begin discussions over the second phase, during which Hamas will release all of its captives and reach an end of the conflict.

Abu Azzoum claimed that Israel was more interested in pursuing an extension of the first stage of the agreement than engaging in negotiations for the second phase.

According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent, Israel is scheduled to leave the Philadelphi Corridor on Saturday as part of the first phase, adding that this will give the deal a run for its money.