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

Hamas and Israel have reached an agreement where Hamas will release a group of Palestinian prisoners in the coming days, while Hamas will hand over the remains of four Israeli hostages. This move is aimed at fulfilling the obligations of both sides in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas stated that Israel had previously delayed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, who were originally scheduled to be released last week, but the two sides finally reached an agreement after Hamas fulfilled the ceasefire agreement and released six Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Hamas confirmed on Wednesday that Israel will release more Palestinian women and children on Thursday, while Hamas will hand over the remains of four Israeli hostages.

Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum reported from the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza that the exchange is expected to take place on Thursday, with Egypt overseeing the entire process to ensure both sides fulfill their respective commitments. Hamas has accused Israel of "sabotaging" the Gaza ceasefire agreement by delaying the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday. Israel, on the other hand, argued that the delay was due to concerns about large public gatherings when the Israeli hostages were released, with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling the process a "humiliating ceremony."

According to the latest agreement, the two sides will complete the obligations of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, namely Hamas will return 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The US Middle East envoy said that negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement are still ongoing, with the first phase scheduled to end on Saturday. "We are making great progress. Israel is sending a team, as we speak," Steve Witkoff said at an event of the American Jewish Committee. He added: "Negotiations will restart in Doha or Cairo, hosted by the Egyptian and Qatari sides."

Abu Azzoum said that there are increasing indications that Israel wants to extend the first phase of the agreement rather than proceed with negotiations for the second phase. The Al Jazeera reporter added: "Next Saturday, Israel is supposed to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor in accordance with the first phase of the agreement." He believes that this will be a test of the effectiveness of the agreement. The Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) long representing the entire border area between Gaza and Egypt, has been a point of contention between the two sides as Israel seeks to maintain control over the area.