CAIRO, Feb 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Mediators have reached an agreement to release all Palestinian prisoners who were due to be freed last week in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages, Egyptian state-linked media reported on Tuesday.

Palestinian militiant group Hamas confirmed the agreement, under Egyptian supervision, saying it is part of the first phase of its ceasefire deal with Israel.

On Sunday, Hamas accused Israel of endangering the five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners, citing concerns over how Israeli hostages have been freed.

Since the ceasefire took effect on January 19, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages in public ceremonies across Gaza, where masked, armed fighters have escorted the captives onto stages decorated with slogans.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described these events as "humiliating ceremonies".

The International Committee of the Red Cross has urged all parties to carry out prisoner and hostage swaps "in a dignified and private manner".

On Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli captives in the seventh such transfer, but Israel postponed the scheduled release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in response.

While both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, it has largely held since coming into effect.