Israel is aiming to extend the initial phase of its ceasefire agreement with Hamas as it released the final batch of Palestinian prisoners on Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent a delegation to Cairo for further negotiations on securing the fragile truce.
Under the first phase of the ceasefire, Israel released 641 prisoners, including more than 450 who were transferred to the besieged Gaza Strip. This came after another delay by Israel and the handover of the remains of four Israeli captives by Hamas.
One of the released prisoners, Mohammed Abu Amsha, described horrific conditions during his detention, claiming he was beaten, humiliated, and given only one meal a day, which he described as “very bad.” He also stated that sick prisoners received no medical care, skin diseases were rampant, and detainees were not allowed to change clothes since their arrest.
Since the first phase of the ceasefire began last month, Israel has released over 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for 25 living captives and the remains of eight others held in Gaza. While Israel temporarily halted its intense bombardment and withdrew troops from some areas in Gaza, violations of the ceasefire have continued. Palestinian health officials report that Israeli forces killed 17 people in the past 48 hours. Additionally, humanitarian aid, such as tents and mobile homes, has not been adequately allowed into Gaza.
The first phase of the ceasefire is set to expire on Friday, and it remains unclear whether talks on a second phase have begun. This phase would focus on securing the release of the remaining captives and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israeli authorities believe fewer than half of the 59 captives still held in Gaza are alive.
Following the prisoner exchange on Thursday, Israel announced it was sending a delegation to Cairo to discuss extending the first phase of the truce. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Israel is willing to extend the ceasefire in exchange for the release of more hostages. Two government officials indicated that Israel is seeking to release three captives each week in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Egypt and Qatar, with U.S. backing, are mediating talks between Israel and Hamas. Hamas has expressed readiness to begin discussions on the second phase but emphasized that the remaining captives in Gaza will only be released if the ceasefire is upheld. However, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen later stated that Israel demands its military remain in the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt. Israeli troops are scheduled to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border area on Saturday.
Israel’s government faces public pressure to extend the ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining captives. Meanwhile, some far-right officials are pushing for a return to military operations.
The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza, with over 48,000 people killed since October 2023, according to Palestinian health officials. The war has displaced the majority of Gaza’s population multiple times and left the coastal enclave in ruins. Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed at least 1,139 people and took approximately 250 hostages.
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