Hamas and Israel have agreed to start indirect talks for the second phase of a ceasefire deal. Hamas has pledged to return the bodies of four hostages, including the Bibas family, this week.
Israel and Hamas agreed to begin indirect negotiations for the second stage of a ceasefire deal, officials announced on Tuesday. The Palestinian militant group Hamas stated its intention to hand over more hostages, including the bodies of two children, this week. Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas leader in Gaza, revealed that the remains of four hostages, including the Bibas family, would be returned on Thursday. Six living hostages are expected to follow on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed a deal reached in Cairo to secure the release of six living hostages on Saturday, four deceased hostages on Thursday, and four more the following week. However, the Prime Minister's office refrained from naming any of the hostages. An Israeli official disclosed that the deceased hostages will undergo identification in Israel before being publicly named. Negotiations for the second phase of the deal were initially scheduled to commence on February 4th, but Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, acting as mediators between the two sides, reported that the talks have not officially begun.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar clarified during a news conference in Jerusalem that the negotiations 'will happen this week.' Israel had previously expressed ambiguous signals regarding its participation in the talks for the next stage of the three-phased ceasefire, which came into effect on January 19th with the aim of permanently ending the Gaza war. The Bibas family, including Kfir Bibas, who was less than a year old when abducted, and his four-year-old brother Ariel, have been among the most prominent Israeli hostages captured during the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attack. Their father, Yarden Bibas, was released this month, but their mother, Shiri, was not. Hamas announced in late 2023 that Shiri and the children were deceased. Israel has not confirmed their deaths and has only expressed grave concerns for their lives. Following Hamas's announcement, Israel appealed for respect for the hostage families' privacy. The family stated they were 'in turmoil' since the announcement by Hamas, adding, 'Until we receive definitive confirmation, our journey is not over.' The identity of the fourth deceased hostage remains undisclosed, but the families of the six living hostages to be released on Saturday have been informed. Eliyah Cohen, 27, Tal Shoham, 40, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23, were all taken hostage on October 7th. Two others, Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, and Avera Mengistu, 39, crossed into Gaza independently of each other around a decade ago and have been held ever since.
HAMAS ISRAEL CEASEFIRE HOSTAGES BIBAS FAMILY
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hamas to release 6 hostages, return 4 bodies amid Israel ceasefireThe warring sides have yet to negotiate the second and more difficult phase, in which Hamas says it will release dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire.
Read more »
Three More Israeli Hostages Released By Hamas in Prisoner Swap DealHamas continues prisoner exchange, releasing Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon, and Keith Siegel after over a year in captivity. Bibas' return overshadowed by concern for his wife and children who remain in Hamas's hands. Deal sees Israel release 90 Palestinian prisoners.
Read more »
Hamas to Release Six Israeli Hostages and Bodies of Four Killed in October AttackHamas has agreed to release six Israeli hostages held captive since 2014 and 2015, along with the bodies of four Israeli hostages killed during the October 7 attack. The hostages are slated to be freed on Saturday, while the bodies will be transferred to Israel on Thursday. This agreement also includes Israel allowing caravans and heavy engineering equipment into Gaza after inspection.
Read more »
Hamas says it will free 6 hostages and hand over bodies of Bibas mother and children before thenA top Hamas leader says the militant group will release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday and the bodies of four others on Thursday, a surprise increase that apparently comes in return for Israel allowing mobile homes and construction equipment into the devastated Gaza Strip.
Read more »
Desperate families await return of 4 female soldiers held by Hamas for 15 monthsTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Hamas announced Friday that it would release four female soldiers held hostage for 15 months in Gaza, as part of an exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners laid out in its ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Read more »
Thai Hostages Freed by Hamas Return HomeFour Thai hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas militants during their October 2023 attack on Israel have returned home after being released from captivity in Gaza. This release follows a previous repatriation of some Thai hostages earlier in the year. The returnees were reunited with their families at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, where they expressed their gratitude for their safe return.
Read more »