Hamas has announced plans to return the bodies of four hostages, including members of the Bibas family, on Thursday. This decision comes amid ongoing negotiations surrounding hostages held by the Palestinian armed group since the attack on October 7, 2023.
Details of the release
Khalil al-Hayya, a negotiator for Hamas, confirmed that the bodies will include Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Kfir and Ariel, who were just nine months and four years old at the time of their abduction. Hamas claims that the children died as a result of Israeli airstrikes, although Israeli authorities have not corroborated this assertion.
“In the past few hours, we have been in turmoil following Hamas spokesperson’s announcement about the planned return of our Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir this Thursday as part of the hostages’ remains release phase,” the Bibas family stated.
Yarden Bibas, the children’s father, was released by Hamas earlier this month. Al-Hayya also revealed that six living hostages would be freed on Saturday, doubling the previously agreed-upon number.
Terms of the exchange
In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release all women and minors detained since the beginning of the conflict. Additionally, Israel has agreed to allow limited rubble-clearing equipment into Gaza through its border with Egypt. Al-Hayya stated that the release of the four bodies is set for February 20.
Hamas previously claimed that the Bibas family members were killed during an Israeli airstrike in November 2023, but no evidence has been presented to support this claim, and the Israeli military has not confirmed the report. An Israeli official noted that the deceased hostages would need to undergo identification in Israel before being officially named.
The families of several hostages have expressed hope that their loved ones will be included in the Saturday release, which is expected to involve individuals such as Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, both of whom were captured in previous years after entering Gaza.
As negotiations continue for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which aims to secure the release of remaining hostages and a permanent end to the conflict, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has stated that discussions would commence soon. He emphasized that Israel does not recognize the legitimacy of Hamas or any other terrorist organization in Gaza.
Currently, 73 hostages are believed to be in Gaza, a mix of Israeli soldiers and civilians, including individuals from Thailand and Nepal. The initial attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages and tragic losses, with approximately 1,200 fatalities recorded on the Israeli side. In retaliation, Israel has conducted a military campaign that has reportedly resulted in significant casualties among Palestinians, with figures indicated by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry suggesting around 47,460 deaths.