Gaza ceasefire deal impasse resolved

CAIRO, Feb 26 (BBC): Israeli and Hamas officials say the latest impasse in the Gaza ceasefire deal has been resolved by mediators.

Israel had delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday in protest at what it said was the cruel treatment of Israeli hostages being handed over by Hamas. Hamas said this was a serious violation of the deal.

It is now expected that the prisoners will be freed as well as another batch, possibly later on Wednesday or Thursday, in exchange for the return of the bodies of four hostages.

That would clear the way for US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to visit the region. He has said he wants Israel and Hamas to begin delayed talks on the second stage of the ceasefire.

News of the breakthrough came as thousands of Israelis gathered in the central city of Rishon LeZion to watch the funeral procession of hostages Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, whose bodies were returned by Hamas last week.

They were killed in captivity after being kidnapped during Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza.

Hamas said in a statement on Tuesday night that a delegation led by the group's Gaza leader, Khalil al-Hayya, had concluded a trip to Cairo after reaching an agreement to resolve the problem over the delayed release of the Palestinian prisoners.

"They will be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli [hostages] agreed to be handed over during the first phase, in addition to the corresponding Palestinian women and children," it added.

Hayya also reiterated Hamas's commitment to the ceasefire deal "with all its stages and clauses". There was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli government.