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Intense negotiations are underway to resolve a standoff over the return of four Israeli hostages’ remains, as Israel delays the release of Palestinian prisoners while demanding the immediate handover of the bodies without a publicized ceremony.
Mediators are scrambling to salvage the fragile deal, with U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff expected to arrive in the region on Wednesday to help facilitate progress.
Israeli officials said Monday they believe negotiations for the return of the remains of Tsahi Idan, Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi and Itzik Elgart could soon succeed. However, Hamas has publicly refused the arrangement, despite reports suggesting it may agree.
According to sources familiar with the talks, who spoke to the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Hamas could transfer the bodies of two hostages as early as Tuesday if negotiations proceed as planned. The sources indicated that the terrorist group is willing to do so without a ceremony but is demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners who were scheduled for release on Saturday—potentially doubling the original number.
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The body of Shiri Bibas returned to Israel
Israel insists that the return of the remains must occur without a staged event, unlike the previous handover of the Bibas family children and Oded Lifshitz. In response, it has postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas, for its part, is demanding their release to coincide with the return of the bodies, while Israel insists on first completing identification procedures. This comes in light of a previous mix-up, when the body of a Palestinian woman was initially transferred instead of Shiri Bibas.
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Israel has reportedly expressed willingness to release prisoners if Hamas returns the hostages' remains. The United States, Egypt and Qatar are actively working to broker a resolution. Israeli officials assess that Hamas is interested in completing the current phase of the deal and may be willing to adhere to Israel’s condition that no public ceremony accompany the transfer of the bodies.
Palestinian sources claimed Monday that negotiations had made progress and that discussions were ongoing over a potential release of two bodies within hours, though no such transfer had taken place by late evening.
A senior Israeli official dismissed these reports. Shortly after, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi also denied any change in the group’s stance, insisting that Israel must first release over 600 prisoners in accordance with the agreement.
Meanwhile, Israel has signaled willingness to extend the initial phase of the deal by one to one-and-a-half months, which would prolong the cease-fire through Ramadan. Israeli officials maintain that any continuation of the truce must be accompanied by the release of additional hostages, though the size and timing of these future exchanges remain unclear.