Gaza Ceasefire Deal Breakthrough Achieved
On February 25, 2025, mediators resolved the latest Gaza ceasefire deal impasse, Israeli and Hamas officials confirmed. Israel had stalled Saturday’s release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, citing cruel treatment of hostages handed over by Hamas, who called it a “serious violation.” Now, expect 600 prisoners freed Wednesday or Thursday, alongside four hostage bodies—likely Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat—via Kerem Shalom, per Haaretz sources at 4:56 AM PST, February 26. This clears the path for US envoy Steve Witkoff to push delayed second-phase talks, as the first phase ends Saturday. Hamas’s Khalil al-Hayya, post-Cairo talks, affirmed commitment on X Tuesday, syncing releases with women and children prisoners.
The breakthrough coincided with thousands in Rishon LeZion mourning Shiri Bibas and sons Ariel and Kfir—killed in captivity after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack sparking Gaza’s war—whose bodies returned last week. Egypt says Thursday’s handover skips Gaza ceremonies. Of 33 hostages slated for phase one, 25 living and four dead are out—five Thai hostages freed separately—swapped for 1,900 Palestinians, including 400 Gazans and 50 lifers. Israel’s pulled back from populated areas, aid trucks roll in, and displaced northerners return home, easing a crisis killing 48,348, per Gaza’s health ministry, since 1,200 died in Hamas’s assault.
Gaza Ceasefire Deal: What’s Next?
The Gaza ceasefire deal’s second phase—57 hostages freed, full IDF exit, permanent peace—looms as Witkoff eyes talks. Hamas warned of stalling without prisoner releases; Israel’s yet to confirm. Phase one’s end nears—will it hold? For more, visit BBC or Kenkou Land.
Main Body: A Fragile Peace Gains Ground
Today, February 26, 2025, at 4:56 AM PST, the Gaza ceasefire deal inches forward. Mediators broke Saturday’s deadlock—Israel’s 600-prisoner delay over hostage treatment met Hamas’s violation claim—setting Wednesday or Thursday for four bodies’ return, families notified, Haaretz notes. Shiri Bibas’s funeral underscored the stakes—killed with her boys post-October 7, when 251 were taken, 1,200 slain. Al-Hayya’s Tuesday X pledge—“all stages” intact—aligns releases; Egypt confirms no Gaza fanfare. Witkoff’s regional trip looms as phase one, swapping 33 for 1,900, nears Saturday’s close—25 living, four dead out, five Thais aside.
Gaza’s 70% wrecked—2.1 million displaced, health and aid systems shattered—sees relief: IDF’s pullout, 600 daily aid trucks. Russia’s Putin offered minerals Monday, per state TV, eyeing Trump’s Ukraine deal; here, phase two’s 57 hostages and peace hinge on talks. Israel’s campaign, crushing Hamas post-2023, killed 48,348—Hamas-run counts say—yet 57 remain. At 4:56 AM PST, mediators hold sway—will Sharaa’s Syria and Trump’s sway shift gears? Gaza’s fragile truce teeters—hope flickers amid rubble.
