فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Hamas and Israel announced an agreement on Tuesday for the release of six Israeli hostages held in Gaza this Saturday, following the return of four bodies on Thursday. According to Hamas, the bodies include those of the two youngest hostages, five-year-old Ariel Bibas and two-year-old Kfir Bibas, along with their mother, Shiri Bibas. The Bibas family expressed profound grief over the announcement but stated they have yet to receive “official confirmation” of their deaths.
The Palestinian Islamist movement stated it had “decided to hand over four bodies on Thursday, including those of the Bibas family,” in exchange for Israel’s release of Palestinian detainees on Saturday, as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that four bodies would be returned to Israel on Thursday, followed by the release of six living hostages on Saturday.
Yarden Bibas, the 35-year-old father of the two children, was freed on February 1, leaving behind growing concerns about his family’s fate. The entire Bibas family was abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on the Nir Oz kibbutz near Gaza, though Yarden had been held separately. Images of Shiri Bibas shielding her children during their abduction became emblematic of the horrors of that day, with Kfir, then just eight and a half months old, being the youngest among the 251 hostages taken.
The Bibas family responded to Hamas’ announcement, saying, “We are devastated… Until we receive irrefutable confirmation, our fight will continue.”
A Fragile Ceasefire
A fragile ceasefire has held since January 19 after 15 months of devastating war. Talks to extend the truce are expected to begin this week, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who stressed the need for a “complete demilitarization of Gaza” post-conflict.
In addition to the return of the four bodies, Hamas’ chief negotiator, Khalil al-Haya, confirmed that the release of the remaining living hostages under the first phase of the agreement will occur on Saturday. The Hostage Families Forum identified the six Israelis as Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed, and Avera Mengistu.
Negotiations and Implications
The first phase of the agreement stipulates the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including eight confirmed deceased, in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, with the process concluding on March 1. Since the ceasefire began, 19 Israeli hostages and 1,134 Palestinian detainees have been freed. However, 70 individuals remain captive in Gaza, 35 of whom are confirmed dead by the Israeli military.
Netanyahu has threatened to resume hostilities if all hostages are not released. The second phase of the ceasefire aims to secure the freedom of all remaining captives and end the war, paving the way for Gaza’s reconstruction.
International Reactions
Donald Trump’s proposed plans for Gaza have sparked widespread controversy, prompting Saudi Arabia to organize a mini-summit in response. Meanwhile, Israel has established a “special agency” to facilitate the “voluntary departure” of Gazans. Qatar, mediating the talks, insists that Gaza’s future is a “Palestinian issue.”
Hamas’ October 7 attack killed 1,211 Israelis, mostly civilians, while Israel’s retaliatory offensive has resulted in 48,291 deaths in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities, figures corroborated by the UN. The current ceasefire also aims to allow increased international aid into Gaza, though Hamas accuses Israel of blocking critical supplies.
As negotiations continue, the world watches to see whether this fragile truce can evolve into lasting peace—or collapse under the weight of unresolved tensions.
