Hamas plans to release the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including the Bibas family, and six living hostages in a deal with Israel. The exchange is part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations, with Israel set to release Palestinian prisoners in return. Talks for a second phase of the ceasefire agreement are expected to begin soon.
Hamas has announced plans to release the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including members of the Bibas family, on Thursday, followed by the release of six living hostages on Saturday. This development is part of ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel, facilitated by Egyptian, Qatari, and American officials. The exchange is expected to involve the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel and is seen as a step toward a more comprehensive ceasefire agreement.
Hamas has confirmed it will release the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel, who were taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. The group claims the Bibas family was killed in an Israeli airstrike, but this has not been confirmed by Israeli authorities. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has acknowledged the agreement to receive the bodies but has not officially named the deceased hostages. The Bibas family has become emblematic of the hostages' plight, with Kfir's image widely used in campaigns advocating for their release[1][2].
In addition to the release of the deceased, Hamas will free six living hostages, including Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been held in Gaza for over a decade. This release is part of a broader agreement where Israel will release Palestinian prisoners. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum expressed relief at the return of these hostages, despite the tragic news of the deceased. This exchange marks a significant development in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, with the possibility of extending the ceasefire if talks prove fruitful[2][3].
The release of hostages is part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which included the release of 33 hostages and about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Talks for a second phase, which aims to secure the release of all remaining hostages and potentially end the conflict permanently, are expected to begin soon. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has indicated that constructive dialogue could extend the ceasefire, emphasizing the need to prevent the continued presence of terrorist organizations in Gaza. The international community, including the United States, is closely monitoring these developments[1][4].
The release of hostages by Hamas marks a critical juncture in the ongoing negotiations with Israel. While the return of living hostages brings relief, the release of deceased individuals, including the Bibas family, underscores the tragic human cost of the conflict. As talks for a second phase of the ceasefire agreement are set to begin, there remains hope for a resolution that could bring lasting peace to the region. However, the path forward will require delicate diplomacy and significant concessions from both sides.
"While we feel profound relief at their homecoming, we are devastated by the news that the remains of four of our loved ones will be returned this Thursday." - Hostage and Missing Families Forum
"If we will see there is a constructive dialogue with a possible horizon of getting to an agreement (then) we will make this time-frame work longer." - Gideon Saar
"Hamas executed a mother and her two children in cold blood. This is barbarism." - House Foreign Affairs Committee