Despite strict Israeli restrictions, thousands of Palestinians gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday evening to perform the first Tarawih prayer of Ramadan. Israeli forces harassed and intimidated children, conducted searches, and obstructed worshippers from entering the mosque. Men under 55 and women under 50 were barred from entering, as part of measures aimed at limiting Palestinian access during the holy month. Even recently released Palestinian detainees were denied entry.

UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag has warned that the window for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is closing. Speaking at a conference, she emphasized that peace, security, and dignity in the region depend on this solution. Kaag expressed concern over Israel’s recent military expansion in the West Bank. Meanwhile, US envoy Dorothy Shea reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to fully implementing existing agreements, while also highlighting that Hamas continues to hold 63 hostages, including five Americans. Both US and Israeli representatives insisted that Hamas must be eradicated for lasting peace.

Gaza spokesperson Major Mahmoud Basel has reported that over 700 bodies have been recovered from different parts of the Gaza Strip. Many of the bodies bear severe trauma, making identification difficult. Due to a lack of forensic facilities, authorities are struggling to verify the victims’ identities. Basel also noted that more than 10,000 bodies remain trapped under rubble, with rescue operations hampered by inadequate equipment.

As part of the final phase of a ceasefire agreement, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli detainees to the Red Cross. In return, the first bus carrying 620 Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah, West Bank. Reports indicate that six Palestinian children died from cold exposure due to a lack of proper shelter in Gaza. Meanwhile, former mediators have likened Israel’s actions in Palestine to South Africa’s apartheid regime. The United Nations has urged Israel to allow the establishment of tents and shelters for displaced Palestinians.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with Israel regarding the release of four Israeli hostages and over 600 Palestinian prisoners. According to the statement, Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages. The deal also includes the release of a number of Palestinian women and children. Israel has requested that the bodies of the hostages be transferred via the Red Cross through Egypt. In the previous exchange agreement, Hamas released Israeli hostages, but Israel failed to release the promised 600 Palestinian prisoners.

More than 160 Palestinian healthcare workers, including over 20 doctors, remain detained in Israeli custody in Gaza, with 24 still missing. Recently released detainees have shared horrific accounts of abuse, including physical torture, beatings, and starvation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over their safety, reporting that since the war began, Israeli forces have detained 297 healthcare workers from Gaza. However, the exact number of those still in detention remains unknown.

A new report by Al Jazeera, citing Access Now’s global internet shutdown study, reveals that Israel has restricted internet access in Gaza six times in 2024, more than any other country in the Middle East and North Africa. Despite international condemnation, Israeli occupation forces have deliberately disrupted Gaza’s internet and telecommunications infrastructure, a move the report likens to war crimes. The blackouts have severely impacted communication in the besieged Palestinian territory, drawing widespread criticism from human rights organizations.

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi announced on Sunday that the group would suspend negotiations with Israel unless 602 Palestinian prisoners were released. He urged mediators to pressure Israel into fulfilling the agreement. Egypt and Qatar have been pushing Israel to release the prisoners as promised, with Egypt even threatening to withdraw from mediation if Israel fails to comply. Meanwhile, families of the detainees waited anxiously throughout the day. The United States, however, has supported Israel’s refusal to return the prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel is ready to resume its war against Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas has accused Israel of jeopardizing the five-week-long ceasefire by suspending the prisoner exchange process.

The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, was set to expire in early March, but no final decision has been made regarding the next phase. On Saturday, Israel halted the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners under the initial prisoner swap agreement.

“We have eliminated most of Hamas’ organized forces, and there is no doubt that we will fully achieve our war objectives—whether through negotiations or other means,” Netanyahu declared.

Hamas has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately undermining the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The group claims that Israel has failed to initiate discussions for the second phase of the agreement, which was set to conclude on March 1. As per the ceasefire’s first phase, Israel agreed to release prisoners, withdraw forces from parts of Gaza, and allow humanitarian aid. Hamas leader Bassem Naim told Al Jazeera that Netanyahu’s actions signal preparations for renewed conflict rather than peace. Meanwhile, Hamas recently released six Israeli hostages, but Israel has yet to free 620 Palestinian detainees.

The death toll in Gaza continues to climb as rescue teams recovered seven more bodies from the rubble, according to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency. The number of fatalities in the war-torn enclave has now reached 48,329. In the past 48 hours alone, two Palestinians have died due to Israeli shelling. Since the start of Israel’s offensive in October 2023, nearly 111,753 people have been injured. Many bodies remain trapped under debris, with rescuers struggling to reach them amid ongoing hostilities.

As part of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Hamas recently released four Israeli hostages. The handover took place on Saturday evening through the Red Cross, with the Israeli military receiving them. Witnesses at the exchange site in Nuseirat reported seeing the hostages smiling. In a striking moment, one of the hostages kissed a Hamas fighter on the forehead. The Israeli military confirmed the release and stated that the hostages would be taken to a hospital for evaluation. Previously, Hamas had released two other hostages, one of whom had been held since 2014.

The first phase of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas has been completed. On Saturday, five hostages were handed over to Israeli forces via the Red Cross, with a sixth hostage set to be released later. According to AFP, Israel is releasing more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, including 50 serving life sentences. Hamas has stated that no further hostages will be released unless Israel fully withdraws its troops. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister declared that temporarily defeating Hamas remains their objective.

As part of a prisoner exchange agreement, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages. The remains of the captives, placed in coffins, were transported in Red Cross vehicles from Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. The four deceased hostages have been identified as Shiri, Ariel, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Red Cross is transferring the bodies to Israeli security agencies. Hamas claimed that despite their best efforts, they were unable to protect the hostages from Israeli attacks. In a statement, Hamas criticized Israeli leadership, stating that Israel is governed by leaders who fail to protect their own citizens.

The Gaza government has reported that Israeli attacks have destroyed 1,109 out of 1,244 mosques in the region—accounting for 89% of all mosques in Gaza. Among them, 834 mosques have been completely demolished, while 275 have become unusable. The destruction of religious and administrative centers, waqf properties, cemeteries, and mosques has resulted in financial losses exceeding $500 million. Additionally, 315 imams and religious speakers have been killed in the attacks, and 27 ministry employees have been detained by Israeli forces. An international initiative called the “Minarets Coalition” has been launched to rebuild the destroyed mosques and religious institutions.