Hamas reveals date for delivery of 10 prisoners to Israeli occupation, including 4 bodies
GAZA, Feb. 18 (YPA) – Khalil al-Hayya, head of the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” in the Gaza Strip and head of the negotiating delegation, announced on Tuesday evening that the movement and the resistance have decided to hand over four bodies of Israeli occupation prisoners next Thursday, in addition to releasing six living prisoners on Saturday, in exchange for the release of a similar number of Palestinian prisoners.
Al-Hayya explained in a video speech broadcast by Al-Aqsa TV that the movement will hand over four bodies on Thursday, February 20, including the bodies of the Bibas family, and that the occupation will release the concerned Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, February 22, according to the agreement. He confirmed that the delivery of the remaining bodies agreed upon in the first stage will be completed during the sixth week.
He also indicated that the living prisoners agreed upon to be released in the first stage, six in number, will be released next Saturday, including prisoners Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu. He added that the occupation will have to release a number of Palestinians matching this number according to the agreement.
Al-Hayya confirmed Hamas and the resistance’s readiness to immediately engage in the second phase negotiations, which include three main points: a complete ceasefire and achieving sustainable calm, the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the completion of a new prisoner exchange deal at once. He noted the movement’s readiness to deal with these issues as one package.
He stated that Hamas continues to work with mediators, especially Qatar and Egypt, to confirm the occupation’s commitment to previous agreements in the first phase. These commitments include the entry of relief materials, heavy equipment, fuel, and electricity alternatives, in addition to ensuring freedom of travel through the crossings and expanding the fishing area, with the aim of alleviating the suffering of the population and strengthening their steadfastness.
Al-Hayya emphasized that the movement’s decisions come as a continuation of the efforts to make the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with the occupation a success and to prepare for the second phase. He also pointed out that these steps reflect the movement’s seriousness and its response to the mediators’ initiatives, which enhances the chances of fully implementing the terms of the agreement.
YPA