A midnight deal.. Hostages exchanged for bodies under the pressure of mediators.

In a significant development in the complex negotiations, Israel is preparing to release 625 Palestinian prisoners at midnight tonight, after a delay of several days, coinciding with Hamas handing over the bodies of four Israeli hostages to Egypt. According to informed sources, Hamas will hand over the bodies of Tsahi Audan, Itzik Algaraat, Ohad Yehalom, and Shlomo Mintzur, while Israel will release 625 Palestinian prisoners, including 602 who were supposed to be released last Saturday, along with 23 children and women. The Palestinian Prisoners Club confirmed that all those being released tonight are residents of Gaza, while the fate of prisoners from the West Bank and those deported outside Palestine is still pending, with expectations of their release tomorrow. The Israeli Prison Service has started preparations for the prisoners' release, while the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis is getting ready to receive them amid popular anticipation. On the Israeli side, the operation has been approved after assurances from mediators, despite tensions accompanying the previous handover. Unlike previous exchange operations, it seems that this time the handover of bodies will be done without any military displays, as Hamas did not invite journalists for coverage, indicating intense pressure from mediators to comply with Israeli demands for a quiet and non-ceremonial process. Despite the implementation of this part of the agreement, the second phase remains uncertain; Hamas has stated that it has not received any new proposals regarding it, but has expressed readiness to complete the agreement, while mediators continue their efforts to solidify agreements and prevent any obstacles that may delay the implementation of the next phase. This deal, which raises many questions about the balance of the exchange, remains a crucial step in the path of de-escalation, but is not necessarily the ultimate conclusion in the complex negotiations between the two parties.