• Source:JND
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Hamas has confirmed that the release of hostages held in Gaza will begin on Monday morning, marking the start of a critical phase in the US-mediated ceasefire agreement between the militant group and Israel. “According to the signed agreement, the prisoner exchange is set to begin on Monday morning as agreed, and there are no new developments on this matter,” senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told AFP on Saturday.

Under the first phase of the deal, Hamas will release 48 hostages, including 20 believed to be alive and 28 confirmed dead, while Israel will free around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The agreement, brokered by the United States with support from Egypt and Qatar, represents a major step toward de-escalating the months-long conflict that has devastated Gaza.

Challenges In Locating Deceased Hostages

Hamas has acknowledged logistical challenges in recovering the remains of all deceased hostages within the 72-hour deadline set by the agreement. “We may face difficulties locating some of the bodies due to the extensive destruction in parts of Gaza,” a Hamas official said. Israeli officials are reportedly aware of these complications and have agreed to allow flexibility in the timeline.

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The ceasefire’s first phase took effect Friday at noon local time (0900 GMT), leading to a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and allowing thousands of displaced residents to return to their destroyed homes. While the truce remains fragile, it has provided temporary relief to civilians after weeks of intense bombardment.

Tensions Over Trump’s Peace Plan

Despite progress on the ground, Hamas announced that it would not attend the formal signing ceremony of the Gaza peace deal in Egypt, citing disagreements with parts of Donald Trump’s proposed peace framework. Hamas leaders called suggestions that its members should leave Gaza “absurd” and accused Washington of attempting to reshape the territory’s political future under the guise of peace.

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Summit To Finalise Gaza Peace Agreement

The announcement comes just ahead of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, scheduled for Monday, which US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will co-chair. The summit will bring together leaders from over 20 countries, including France, Spain, and the United Nations, to finalise the broader agreement aimed at permanently ending the war in Gaza and rebuilding the region.