TRANSCRIPT
Screams of joy as a Palestinian mother hugs and kisses her son, one of 642 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons overnight.
Mohammad Abu Sahloul is a Palestinian teenager who has just returned home to his mother and siblings after over a year in an Israeli prison.
“Bad things happened to me, not just me. Every young man who was arrested, ask him about the situation, he will tell you. No one can describe what happened to him. I was in a nightmare, I was in hell, and finally I got out of the hell that I was in.”
There were emotional scenes as Diaa El Agha - who was imprisoned in 1992 for killing a Mossad spy agency officer - finally came home to his mother, Najat.
“Thank God for consoling me and releasing my son after 33 years. I didn't expect for my son to be released or to see him, Thank God lord of the world, Thank God lord of the world. You have all the thanks and gratitude, God.”
Mohammed credits Hamas for his release and that of around 2,000 others imprisoned by Israel, several without charge.
“This is the most beautiful moment of my life. ... I thank the resistance for freeing the prisoners from the occupation’s prisons. This was a historical moment, opening the doors of prisons to all prisoners. I commend our people for their resilience, especially the families of prisoners.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted the planned release of Palestinian prisoners , as well as Palestinians held under administrative detention, last Saturday after an Israeli hostage affectionately kissed the head of a Hamas militant, an act that played out on live television.
Mr Netanyahu demanded an end to what he called the "disgraceful and grotesque" public displays in which Israeli hostages are paraded in front of cheering Palestinian crowds and television cameras, an act that has been condemned by several human rights organisations.
His stance appears to have had an effect, as on Thursday [[27 February]], Hamas quietly handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages killed in captivity in Gaza to the Red Cross, without the usual fanfare.
David Mencer is an Israeli government spokesperson.
“On the release of four of our murdered hostages last night to Israel after 510 days in Gaza: I can confirm the completion of the forensic identification process by the Health Ministry, National Centre of Forensic Medicine, together with the Israel Police and the IDF. The families and loved ones of all Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Shlomo Mantzur and Itzhak Elgarat of blessed memory were murdered.”
Meanwhile, Egyptian officials say talks between Israel and Hamas on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire began on Thursday in Cairo, preventing a collapse ahead of Saturday’s deadline for the agreement’s first phase.
Mr Mencer confirms Israel's prime minister is sending a team of negotiators.
“The Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) has today authorized a delegation to go to Cairo to take forward negotiations to get our hostages home. Okay, that is what the Prime Minister has done, because we want to bring them all home. It is our moral obligation. It is our ethical obligation. We need to bring them home right now, as soon as possible, as soon as humanly possible.”
In Washington, U-S President Donald Trump says his administration is involved in the negotiations.
“So we're working very hard in the Middle East and Gaza and all of the problems. ... And I think we're going to come up with some pretty good solutions. But, phase one is almost complete. ... I think we've had a huge impact on Gaza, the Middle East, and we have some pretty good talks going on concerning lots of other people that are going to make it better. So we'll see what happens. Nobody really knows, but we'll see what happens. But I think we've had a very positive impact.”
Meanwhile, visiting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated his support for a two-state solution at the White House, saying efforts must continue to extend the ceasefire.
“We have to do everything we can to ensure that the ceasefire continues, so that more hostages can be returned, so that aid can be brought in, that's desperately needed. And we we need to allow Palestinians to return and to rebuild their lives. And we must all support them in doing that. And yes, I believe that the two state solution is ultimately the only way for a lasting peace in the region.”
Officials from Israel, Qatar, and the US have begun intensive talks in Cairo on the second phase of the ceasefire.
This stage aims to end the war, secure the release of all surviving hostages in Gaza, and ensure a full withdrawal of Israeli troops.
A third phase would then focus on recovering any remaining deceased hostages.
Israel reports that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 still believed to be alive.
Meanwhile, hundreds of right-wing activists rallied outside Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue, calling for Jewish resettlement in Gaza.
Among them was Daniella Weiss, a prominent settler movement leader, who urged Defence Minister Israel Katz to push forward his plan to expel Palestinians from the territory.
“I’m sending from here a big call to Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich, Yariv Levin and Itamar Ben Gvir, he is now out of the government, with God’s help he will return to the government. I appeal to all the ministers, to Israel Katz, you have a transfer plan, carry it out, what are you waiting for? Carry it out.”
Earlier this month, Mr Katz instructed the military to prepare for large-scale Palestinian exit via land, sea, and air.
This comes as a ramming attack at a bus stop in northern Israel on Thursday [[27 February]] left 14 people injured, including one in critical condition, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Israeli police identified the suspected attacker as a Palestinian from Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, who was married to an Israeli citizen.
Authorities believe the attack was nationalistically motivated.
Preliminary findings indicate that the man deliberately targeted civilians waiting at a bus stop at Karkur Junction.
An initial report confirmed that the suspect had been apprehended.
Meanwhile an official report carried out by the Israeli military into its preparation and response to the October attackshas admitted it 'failed in its mission to protect Israeli civilians'.
It says Israel assumed Hamas did not want a full scale conflict, an assumption that resulted in a lack of preparedness and ability to act.
