Hamas frees six captives as Israel delays release of 620 Palestinian prisoners

Hamas released six Israelis held captive in Gaza in exchange for Israel releasing over 600 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday. This release marks the 35th day of the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and the seventh such exchange. The extended ceasefire has allowed for continued negotiations and humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.

Hamas released the six Israelis from three different locations in the Gaza Strip. Avira Mengistu and Tal Shoham, who had been held in Gaza since 2014, were released in Rafah, while Omer Shem-Tov, Elia Cohen, and Omer Wenkert were handed over to the Red Cross in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Hisham al-Sayed, detained since 2015, was released in Gaza City without a public ceremony. These releases highlight the complex logistics involved in prisoner exchanges during conflict.

A source in Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated that the decision not to hold a ceremony for the release of al-Sayed, an Israeli-Palestinian citizen, was out of respect for his Palestinian family. In exchange, Israeli authorities will release 620 Palestinian prisoners, including approximately 150 serving long or life sentences, and 445 people captured from the Gaza Strip during Israel's recent incursion. This exchange is a testament to the difficult compromises both sides must make.

The first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, lasting 42 days, began on January 19th. The second and third phases are contingent upon the completion of the current phase. However, Israel postponed negotiations for the second phase, originally scheduled to begin on February 3rd, leaving the future of the ceasefire uncertain. Hamas has expressed its readiness to release all remaining Israeli hostages in one go during the second phase of the agreement, scheduled to begin on March 2nd.

In return, the Palestinian side is demanding a formal end to the war, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners. Saturday's exchange was the latest in the first phase involving living hostages. Hamas will release the remains of four deceased hostages next week. With the conclusion of the first phase exchanges, an estimated 10,000 or more Palestinian prisoners remain in Israeli custody, including dozens of bodies seized by Israeli forces. According to Israeli estimates, 59 Israeli hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza, half of whom are believed to be dead.