Hamas announced: Agreement reached

The solution is to release the Palestinian prisoners simultaneously with the handover of the bodies of the killed Israeli hostages, which were agreed to be handed over during the first phase, according to a statement by the Palestinian militant group, reports Reuters.

Hamas said its delegation, led by the group's head in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement "with all its phases and clauses".

"They (Palestinian prisoners) will be released simultaneously with the handover of the bodies of Israeli prisoners (hostages) that were agreed to be handed over during the first phase, in addition to Palestinian women and children," Hamas said.

Last week there was a stall in the release of more than 600 Palestinians, which Israel delayed by accusing Hamas of violating the agreement by publicly showing the surrender of Israeli hostages in Gaza in "humiliating ceremonies". Israeli officials said yesterday that Israel is considering extending a 42-day truce in Gaza as it seeks to bring home the remaining 63 hostages, while delaying a deal on the future of the enclave.

The initial phase of the cease-fire agreement, launched with the support of the United States and the help of Egyptian and Qatari mediators on January 19, is due to end on Saturday, and it is unclear what will happen after that.

So far, 29 Israeli hostages - along with five Thais - have been released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and the handover of the bodies of four more hostages, originally planned for Thursday, is still to come.

An official of the Palestinian militant movement Hamas said earlier yesterday that Israel's delay in releasing some 600 Palestinian prisoners is a "serious violation" of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and that talks on the second phase of the deal are not possible until they are released.