Hamas says solution reached over release of Palestinian prisoners

An agreement was reached to resolve the problem of delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released in the last batch, Hamas said on Tuesday.

The prisoners will be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli hostages that were agreed to be handed over during the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Hamas said in a statement.

A Hamas leadership delegation concluded a visit to Cairo, where the delegation members met with Egyptian officials, the statement said, noting that discussions were held on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the exchange of prisoners, and the prospects for the second phase of negotiations.

"The delegation of the movement's leadership stressed its clear position on the necessity of full and precise commitment to all its provisions and stages," the statement added.

Israel announced early Sunday that it had postponed the release of Palestinian detainees, who were set to be freed Saturday under the ceasefire agreement, until more hostages are released.

Israel was expected to release more than 600 Palestinian detainees on Saturday after Hamas freed six hostages earlier in the day.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement that it had been decided to delay the release of Palestinian detainees scheduled for Saturday "until the release of the next hostages is secured, without the disgraceful ceremonies."

On Tuesday, Israeli officials said Israel was considering an extension of the 42-day truce in Gaza as it seeks to bring home the remaining 63 hostages, while putting off agreement on the future of the enclave for now.

The initial phase of the ceasefire deal, launched with the backing of the United States and the help of Egyptian and Qatari mediators on January 19, is due to end on Saturday and it remains unclear what will follow.

Hamas official Basem Naim said progress could not be made while the prisoners were still being held but that Hamas was committed to a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The deal, which included the release of 33 Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some of their positions in Gaza, has survived numerous hiccups.

So far, 29 Israeli hostages – plus five Thais – have been released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, with the bodies of four more hostages, initially due to be handed over on Thursday, still to come.

(With input from agencies)