Hamas has said it won’t release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu, with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, says he’s committed to destroying Hamas’ military and governing capacities and returning all hostages, goals widely seen as mutually exclusive.

In what was set to be the largest swap under January’s ceasefire agreement, six hostages were freed, but the release of some 600 Palestinian prisoners was delayed. It comes after Shiri Bibas’s body was returned by Hamas.