Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that Hamas has agreed to release the six remaining live hostages from the first phase of the ceasefire agreement on Saturday, while four deceased hostages will be returned on Thursday.
As of Monday, 14 hostages remained to be released under the first phase, out of a total of 70. Six were confirmed to be alive, though their identities remain unknown, including whether the two youngest hostages—Ariel (5) and Kfir (2) Bibas—are among them. Hamas claimed Tuesday that the children and their mother are dead, while their father, Yarden, was released weeks ago. The remaining 56 hostages, both living and deceased, are expected to be part of a second-phase negotiation still underway.
Although the original agreement outlined hostage releases over a seven-week period, Netanyahu has pushed for a faster release of the living hostages. Recent talks mediated by Egypt appear to have led to progress. A statement from Netanyahu’s office, translated from Hebrew by the Government Press Office, confirmed: "Understandings have been reached in the Cairo negotiations according to which six living first-stage hostages will be released on Saturday. This Thursday, four deceased hostages will be returned to Israel. Pursuant to the agreement, four additional deceased hostages are due to be returned to Israel next week." Netanyahu has faced mounting political pressure domestically to secure a ceasefire deal, though Hamas had been the primary obstacle. The urgency of negotiations has increased following the return of some hostages in frail condition, with former U.S. President Donald Trump likening their appearance to that of Holocaust survivors. Hamas has also come under additional pressure due to its mistreatment of hostages. Israel is expected to launch negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire deal soon.