Another hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel has taken place. Hamas returned the hostages it was supposed to return as part of the exchange agreement with Israel, not alive, but dead.
Former Israeli Knesset member and political analyst Elina Bordach-Yalov shared her thoughts on the return of the dead with APA.
- The transfer of these and future bodies is a heartbreaking moment for the entire Israeli nation. It deepens the level of grief and fuels anger, as a woman, an elderly man, and two small children—whose safe return the entire country had been desperately hoping for—were instead found to have died in Hamas captivity. The entire Israeli public is mourning their loss, and this tragedy further reinforces the determination to see justice served.
Elina Bordach-Yalov recalled that this transfer is part of a negotiated deal between the parties:
- However, Israel was aware that the bodies of eight hostages would be returned as part of this arrangement. At present, it is confirmed that dozens of hostages that have been killed by Hamas are still remaining in their captivity.
The Israeli government's goals remain unchanged.
The expert finds it difficult to express an opinion on the Israeli government's attitude towards the second phase of the agreement:
- Whether the Israeli government will proceed with the second phase of this deal remains uncertain, but Israel’s ultimate objective remains clear: the total elimination of Hamas as a terrorist organization. This means that there can be no peace process or diplomatic negotiations with Hamas—their ideology and actions leave no room for compromise or coexistence.
Political commentator on Trump's Gaza Plan:
- In Israel, there is strong public and political support for Donald Trump's plan regarding Gaza, and at this moment, it seems to be the only serious plan on the table. The plan envisions the United States leading Gaza's reconstruction by clearing unexploded ordnance, removing debris, and developing infrastructure to create jobs and housing.
Just to remind: President Trump's recent proposal for Gaza involves relocating Palestinian residents to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan, aiming to provide them with safer and more stable living conditions.
Who will control Gaza?
- While it is too early to determine who will govern Gaza after the war, one thing is certain—Israel will never allow Hamas to regain control. The long-term governance of Gaza remains an open question, but Hamas’s rule will not be part of the future.
HAMAS-Israeli War
The active phase of the conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began in October 2023, has resulted in the loss of many lives and the taking of a large number of hostages. The exchange of hostages took place in stages, several times. In the early days of the war, Hamas took several Israeli and foreign citizens hostage. Following this, Israel captured a large number of Hamas members and Palestinians in its operations. Although there were prisoner and hostage exchanges during the war, the process was informal and very limited. Because the war was ongoing and trust between the parties had dropped to zero.
Ceasefire between Hamas and Israel
Hostage exchanges are an important means of reducing tensions and building trust between the parties during the conflict. During the war between Hamas and Israel, it was difficult for large-scale and long-term hostage exchanges to take place, as both sides considered such agreements risky in a war situation and often used for political purposes. After months of negotiations, with the support of the United States and the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the parties, which entered into force on January 19, 2025.
The prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas that took place between 2023 and 2025 were significant events during a period of continued tension between Palestine and Israel. Several key exchanges took place during this period.
The exchange that took place in November 2023:
The exchange was part of a prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas in the 11-day war. In November 2023, Israel released about 150 Palestinian prisoners and transferred about 50 prisoners to Israel in exchange. Also, about 30 Palestinian children and women were released in the Gaza Strip during this exchange.
The exchange that took place in December 2023:
Another major prisoner exchange between the parties took place in December 2023. In this exchange, Israel released more than 150 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas returned more than 70 Israeli prisoners. Also, some of the people held captive in the conflict zone were released for medical reasons and sent abroad for treatment.
The exchange that took place in February 2024:
Following weeks of negotiations between Hamas and Israel, another prisoner exchange took place in February. Hamas released about 20 Israeli soldiers and civilians. Under the agreement, the parties agreed to allow for the exchange of civilians and civilian humanitarian aid.
January 2025 exchange:
In January 2025, another prisoner exchange took place between HAMAS and Israel. In this exchange, HAMAS returned more than 80 Israeli prisoners. In return, about 200 Palestinians, including women and children, were released.
February 2025 exchange:
369 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons were released on February 16 in exchange for 3 Israelis held in the Gaza Strip.
The process is ongoing.
Another major exchange between the parties is expected to take place in March. Negotiations are currently underway in earnest. These exchanges are important for both sides, both politically and humanitarianally. More exchanges and negotiations are essential to ending the conflict and moving towards peace.
Farid Azeri
Faig Mahmudov
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