Hamas denies reports that it will hand over bodies of two hostages in exchange for Israel allowing release of Palestinian prisoners

Hamas denies Saudi news reports that it plans to hand over the bodies of two hostages today in exchange for the Palestinian prisoners whose release was postponed, doubling down on its boycott of talks with Israel through mediators.

In a statement on Telegram, Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi demands that Israel implement the ceasefire agreement by “releasing the 600 Palestinian prisoners” who were supposed to be freed on Saturday, and says the terror group has not changed its stance regarding continued negotiations.

Israel announced Sunday morning that it was delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners until Hamas promised to end the “humiliating ceremonies” it stages when hostages are handed over.

The Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq al-Awsat alleges that negotiations between Israel and Hamas were progressing and could lead to the handover of two hostages’ bodies in the next few hours, however, the Hamas spokesman stridently denies this claim.

In addition, multiple Hebrew media outlets cite unnamed Israeli sources denying the report.

According to a Ynet report from earlier today, Israeli negotiators told mediators it would free the prisoners so long as Hamas agreed to hand over four bodies today, without performing a ceremony with the coffins as it did with the bodies of the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz.