Israel is making preparations to receive the remains of an undisclosed number of hostages from Gaza on Thursday, as per a source familiar with the situation who spoke to CNN. The identities of these hostages have not been made public. This development marks the first transfer of deceased hostages following the implementation of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in January. The Israeli military had previously recovered the bodies of several hostages in Gaza.
In a recent development, three Israeli hostages were released in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees last Saturday. Initially, Hamas had threatened to delay the releases, alleging that Israel had breached the terms of the ceasefire agreement. In response, US President Donald Trump urged Israel to cancel the deal with Hamas, setting off a tense situation. Subsequently, after discussions with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, Hamas decided to proceed with the releases, aiming to resolve any issues and uphold the agreement.
Hamas has released a total of 19 Israeli hostages out of the planned 33 releases, which are scheduled in phases as part of the ceasefire deal. The Israeli government has confirmed that eight of the 33 hostages are deceased. The upcoming exchange is set for February 22, where three more hostages are expected to be freed.
Meanwhile, there is growing public pressure in Israel to ensure the release of the remaining hostages. Demonstrations were held in Tel Aviv on Monday to demand the freedom of all hostages, marking 500 days since the October 7 incident.
Negotiations for the next phase of the agreement, which were supposed to commence two weeks ago, and discussions on extending the ceasefire beyond March 1 are uncertain. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to convene a political-security cabinet meeting to address the ongoing situation and plan for future negotiations. However, developments in these discussions have not been announced yet.
Netanyahu reiterated his stance on the future of Gaza, emphasizing a vision that excludes Hamas and the Palestinian Authority post-war. This position contrasts with alternative proposals being considered by Arab nations to reshape Gaza in response to Trump’s controversial plans for the region. The UAE has signaled interest in playing a role in a reformed Gaza under the Palestinian Authority.
In response to Trump’s proposals, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the establishment of a Directorate for the Voluntary Departure of Gaza Residents. The plan aims to provide support for Gaza residents desiring to relocate to a third country.
“Try to receive an envelope that includes, among other things, special departure arrangements by sea, air, and land,” the statement added. Trump has said that Jordan and Egypt would take in displaced Palestinians, but both countries have vehemently rejected the idea amid fears that it would destabilize their countries, with analysts saying it would create an “existential issue” for them. For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com.
