Hamas was set to release six more hostages from Gaza in exchange for 602 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as part of a fragile ceasefire deal that began on January 19, 2025. This comes shortly after the body of Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped with her family during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, was confirmed and returned to her family.
Hostage Releases and Exchanges
The six hostages expected to be freed include:
- Eliya Cohen (27)
- Tal Shoham (40)
- Omer Shem Tov (22)
- Omer Wenkert (23)
- Hisham Al-Sayed (36) (held by Hamas for nearly a decade)
- Avera Mengistu (39) (held by Hamas since entering Gaza separately)
In return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as part of a phased exchange agreement.
The Bibas Family Tragedy
Shiri Bibas, along with her two sons—10-month-old Kfir Bibas and 4-year-old Ariel Bibas—were reportedly killed deliberately by their captors, according to Israeli intelligence. Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, was freed separately on February 1.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hamas for failing to return the full remains of the Bibas family and vowed that Hamas would “pay the full price.” Despite this, Israel has upheld the ceasefire agreement so far.
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
While the truce has paused direct fighting, long-term peace remains uncertain. The war has already claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 Israelis and at least 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Much of Gaza has been destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced and dependent on international aid.
Future Talks and Unresolved Issues
Both Israel and Hamas are expected to engage in further negotiations to secure the release of around 60 remaining hostages, though fewer than half are believed to be alive. However, future talks are clouded by disagreements over Gaza’s governance and controversial proposals—such as the reported plan by former U.S. President Donald Trump to develop Gaza as a resort under U.S. control, which has sparked regional outrage.
The ceasefire holds for now, but the road to a lasting peace remains fraught with tension and uncertainty.
