Hamas, the Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, has released six Israeli hostages—the last survivors from a group of 33 individuals planned for release during the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
Among the released hostages were two individuals who had been held by Hamas for a decade after entering Gaza on their own accord.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his joy at their release, stating via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he was pleased they had been freed “from the depths of hell,” and could now begin their healing process with their families.
In exchange, Israel has released 602 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of serious offenses, as well as others detained after the start of the conflict.
Those with serious convictions were not allowed to return to Gaza and were instead sent to third-party countries.
This phase of the ceasefire began on January 19, but negotiations have not yet started for the second and final phase, which will include discussions on ending the war in Gaza.
“Completing the deal on hostages is a humanitarian and moral obligation,” said Herzog on X.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked settlements in southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 240 others hostage in Gaza.
Israel retaliated by launching a devastating war in the Palestinian enclave, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, according to local authorities, and displacing most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
Hamas has faced heavy criticism for its management of the Israeli hostage releases, including holding public ceremonies and parading the hostages on an improvised stage.
The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross condemned Hamas this week for the display of deceased hostages’ bodies.
Among the bodies were two children and their mother, Shiri Bibas. However, Israeli authorities later clarified that the body was not hers. This situation nearly led to the breakdown of the ceasefire, as Israel accused Hamas of committing a “serious violation” of the agreement.
Later, Hamas handed over another body, and Bibas’ family confirmed it was that of the deceased.
The Palestinian group insists that the family was killed by an Israeli airstrike, but Israeli forensic teams suggest that the mother and her younger child were deliberately killed by militants.
The bodies of other deceased hostages will be released next week, concluding the first phase of the exchange.
Mediators have indicated that both parties plan to begin the second phase of negotiations, focusing on the release of the remaining 60 hostages—though less than half are believed to be alive—and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, reports REL.
Currently, the chances of reaching an agreement have been complicated by disagreements over Gaza’s future, with regional leaders expressing shock at U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from the enclave and transform it into a resort controlled by the United States.
