The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has announced that the release of the seventh batch of Palestinian detainees will take place on Thursday, alongside the handover of the bodies of four Israeli hostages.
Hamas stated that the exchange will follow newly established terms to ensure Israel’s adherence to the agreement. The group also emphasized that it has not received any proposals for a second phase of the deal, despite its willingness to move forward.
On Wednesday, Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, confirmed that the group would hand over the bodies of four Israeli prisoners: Itzachi Idan, Itzik Al-Jarit, Ohad Yahlomi, and Shlomo Mansour. Meanwhile, Palestinian prisoner advocacy organizations reported that Israel is expected to release Palestinian detainees before midnight. Hebrew media sources indicated that the release would take place gradually from Wednesday night into Thursday.
Israeli media also cited an unnamed official who confirmed that an agreement had been reached to resolve delays in the prisoner release. According to Haaretz, if no last-minute obstacles arise, Hamas will return the bodies of four Israeli detainees between Wednesday and Thursday, while Israel releases the prisoners originally scheduled for release last Saturday. Ynet reported that under the agreement, Hamas will transfer the bodies to Egypt without ceremony, after which they will be handed over to the Red Cross and then to Israel, in coordination with the simultaneous release of Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, Axios quoted US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, as saying that an Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Doha or Cairo in the coming days to negotiate a broader prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza. Witkoff added that if progress is made, he may visit the region as early as Sunday.
On Tuesday, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Witkoff had postponed his visit, originally scheduled for Wednesday, without specifying a new date. Haaretz suggested that the delay was due to Israel’s failure to release the seventh batch of Palestinian prisoners, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
At the same time, the United Nations highlighted severe challenges in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite the declared ceasefire. UN officials warned that the humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic levels due to Israel’s ongoing restrictions on essential aid deliveries.
In the West Bank, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported being unable to respond to multiple distress calls from families trapped in the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm, as Israeli forces continued demolition operations. The Israeli military also intensified its operations in the West Bank, killing a Palestinian in Nablus, injuring dozens, and preventing displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes in the Jenin refugee camp. For the first time since the Second Intifada, Israeli tanks have entered the area.
