Israel and Hamas agree on hostage and prisoner exchange

Israeli and Hamas officials have agreed to exchange the bodies of dead hostages for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, maintaining a fragile ceasefire. This agreement follows Israel's delay in releasing 600 prisoners due to concerns over hostage treatment. The exchange is expected to occur soon, with reports indicating it could happen as early as Wednesday. The bodies will be handed over to Egyptian authorities without a public ceremony, differing from previous high-profile releases by Hamas. This agreement fulfills both sides' obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire, which began after intense fighting. It may also pave the way for future negotiations regarding the release of remaining hostages and a potential end to the conflict.