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Friday, Feb 21, 2025
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Hamas to Return Bodies of Bibas Family and Release Additional Hostages
In a significant development, Hamas announces plans to release the bodies of four hostages, including the Bibas family, and six living hostages amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel.
Hamas has declared its intention to return the remains of four hostages, including members of the Bibas family, on February 20, 2024. The spokesperson for Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya, announced the release of the bodies, alongside confirmation of the impending release of six living hostages on February 24, 2024. The Bibas family includes Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, who were taken during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Hamas alleges that Shiri, Kfir, who was nine months old at the time, and Ariel, who was four years old, were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Israel has not confirmed these claims and expressed grave concern regarding the fate of the Bibas family.
An Israeli official stated that identification of the deceased hostages would occur in Israel prior to any announcements about their identities.
The announcement follows earlier communications from the Bibas family indicating they had not received official confirmation regarding the fate of their relatives.
The family expressed continued turmoil while awaiting definitive news.
In a related development, Hamas has outlined that six living hostages, including Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, will be released on Saturday.
Mengistu and al-Sayed were captured in earlier incidents in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
The families of other hostages, taken during the October 7 attack, also expect news regarding their loved ones’ potential release, including Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, and Tal Shoam.
Under the terms of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing a total of 33 hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Following this preliminary phase of the agreement, discussions regarding a second phase, which would involve further hostage exchanges, have been anticipated but have not yet commenced.
The Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has indicated that talks could start soon.
Currently, a total of 73 hostages remain in Gaza, a group comprised of both Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as Thai and Nepalese nationals.
The initial October 7 attack resulted in the killing of around 1,200 people in Israel, while Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to figures provided by Gaza's Hamas-controlled health ministry.
As efforts continue to facilitate the release of hostages, major challenges remain regarding the broader geopolitical landscape and the status of Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli officials have stated their intent to eliminate Hamas's military capabilities, which has been a central focus of the ongoing conflict that has escalated significantly over the past year.
Hamas alleges that Shiri, Kfir, who was nine months old at the time, and Ariel, who was four years old, were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Israel has not confirmed these claims and expressed grave concern regarding the fate of the Bibas family.
An Israeli official stated that identification of the deceased hostages would occur in Israel prior to any announcements about their identities.
The announcement follows earlier communications from the Bibas family indicating they had not received official confirmation regarding the fate of their relatives.
The family expressed continued turmoil while awaiting definitive news.
In a related development, Hamas has outlined that six living hostages, including Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, will be released on Saturday.
Mengistu and al-Sayed were captured in earlier incidents in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
The families of other hostages, taken during the October 7 attack, also expect news regarding their loved ones’ potential release, including Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Omer Wenkert, and Tal Shoam.
Under the terms of the current ceasefire agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing a total of 33 hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Following this preliminary phase of the agreement, discussions regarding a second phase, which would involve further hostage exchanges, have been anticipated but have not yet commenced.
The Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has indicated that talks could start soon.
Currently, a total of 73 hostages remain in Gaza, a group comprised of both Israeli soldiers and civilians, as well as Thai and Nepalese nationals.
The initial October 7 attack resulted in the killing of around 1,200 people in Israel, while Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to figures provided by Gaza's Hamas-controlled health ministry.
As efforts continue to facilitate the release of hostages, major challenges remain regarding the broader geopolitical landscape and the status of Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli officials have stated their intent to eliminate Hamas's military capabilities, which has been a central focus of the ongoing conflict that has escalated significantly over the past year.
