In order to melt the ice, thermal energy is needed to break the strong inter-molecular bonds of the water molecules (and hence increase the internal potential energy).
Conversely, when the particles of a liquid come together in freezing, strong bonds are formed. As the strong bonds form, internal potential energy decreases, the thermal energy is released and lost in the surrounding. Since the eternal kinetic energy does not change the temperature does not continue to fall when the liquid is freezing (i.e. during solidification)
The thermal energy that is released during solidification, as the thermal energy absorbed during melting, is called the latent heat of fusion of a substance.
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