Hamas is reportedly considering a deal to transfer the bodies of two slain hostages to Egypt in exchange for 301 Palestinian prisoners, as international mediators scramble to salvage a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel had planned to release 602 prisoners on Saturday but delayed the move, demanding Hamas end public ceremonies glorifying hostage transfers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that no prisoners would be freed until Hamas guarantees discreet handovers and Israel verifies the hostages’ identities.
A senior Israeli official warned that the entire ceasefire agreement is “on the brink of collapse” if a resolution is not reached by Thursday. Under the current deal, Hamas is set to transfer the bodies of four hostages that day, marking the final stage of the first hostage-prisoner exchange.
Mediators are now working on a phased plan: two bodies could be sent to Egypt on Tuesday in exchange for 301 prisoners, with the same process repeated for the remaining two. Israel hopes this method will ensure a more discreet transfer, avoiding Hamas’s staged ceremonies, which have sparked Israeli outrage.
Tensions escalated after Hamas released a propaganda video showing two hostages pleading for their freedom while watching a public ceremony. Last week, Hamas also paraded the coffins of slain hostages, including young children, before handing them over.
Despite Hamas reportedly agreeing to a quiet transfer, Netanyahu has toughened his stance, demanding that hostages be received and verified before any prisoners are freed. Israel previously refused a transfer after Hamas sent an unrelated body instead of the expected remains.
The Prime Minister’s Office dismissed reports of a potential breakthrough as “fake news,” emphasizing Netanyahu’s commitment to bringing home all hostages.
