Hamas and Israel to move forward with another swap
What may be the last hostage exchange of this phase of the cease-fire was set to go forward late last night. Israel and Hamas have agreed to exchange the remains of four Israelis for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Israel said, and mediators guaranteed that Hamas would hand over the coffins without “humiliating ceremonies.”
The first phase of the cease-fire is set to end in the coming days, and about 25 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others are still in Gaza, according to Israel. It is unclear whether serious negotiations on a second phase have even begun.
Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, was expected in the region yesterday in an attempt to move the talks forward. But his trip has been delayed, the U.S. said.
Mourning: Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, hostages who died in captivity and were returned by Hamas last week, were buried yesterday amid a show of solidarity and grief.
Military: Israel struck targets in southern Syria yesterday as part of a “new policy” of ensuring the area was “demilitarized,” the defense minister said.
Also in the Middle East: Syrian leaders concluded an anticipated “national dialogue” on Tuesday, but some said the talks fell short of promises of a representative government.
