Gaza City, 18 February 2025: Hamas has announced that it will release six Israeli hostages and return the bodies of four others. The decision was taken under an agreement between Hamas and Israel, under which Israel has allowed mobile homes and construction materials to be sent to Gaza.
Key points of the agreement
Hamas will hand over six Israeli civilians alive and four bodies.
In return, Israel has allowed heavy machinery and construction equipment to be sent to Gaza to rebuild areas damaged by the war.
Under the ceasefire, Israel has previously allowed heavy equipment to be sent to clear debris.
What happens next?
Reactions to the accord have been divided on a global scale. While some analysts see it as only a short-term humanitarian deal, others think it might be a beginning toward a potential long-term ceasefire.
Now everyone's eyes are on how effective this agreement proves to be in taking the peace process forward.
