Hamas says it’s going to hand over the our bodies of 4 hostages on Thursday, together with the 2 youngest individuals held by the Palestinian armed group.
The group’s negotiator Khalil al-Hayya mentioned the our bodies to be launched would come with these of the Bibas household – Shiri and her younger youngsters Kfir and Ariel, who had been aged 9 months and 4 years when Hamas kidnapped them in the course of the 7 October 2023 assault.
Hamas alleges that the three had been killed in Israeli bombardment. Israel has not confirmed this.
The kids’s father Yarden was launched by Hamas earlier this month.
Al-Hayya mentioned Hamas would additionally launch six residing hostages on Saturday – double the quantity initially deliberate.
In alternate, Israel will free all girls and people below the age of 19 arrested since final October and is permitting some rubble-clearing tools into Gaza by means of the border with Egypt.
In an announcement, al-Hayya mentioned the group agreed “handing over 4 our bodies of the occupation prisoners on Thursday 20 February, together with the our bodies of the Bibas household.”
Hamas claimed in November 2023 that they had been killed in an Israeli air strike, with out offering proof. The Israeli army has not confirmed the report. Israeli officers have mentioned solely that they’re gravely involved for his or her lives.
An Israeli official advised Reuters that deceased hostages would bear identification in Israel earlier than being named.
In an announcement, the Bibas household mentioned it was conscious of the Hamas assertion.
“Previously few hours, we have now been in turmoil following Hamas spokesperson’s announcement in regards to the deliberate return of our Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir this Thursday as a part of the hostages’ stays launch section,” the assertion mentioned.
“We wish to make it clear that whereas we’re conscious of those stories, we have now not but acquired any official affirmation relating to this matter.
“Till we obtain definitive affirmation, our journey just isn’t over.
Hamas has additionally named two of the six Israelis to be launched on Saturday.
They’re Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who had been seized in 2014 and 2015 respectively after they crossed into Gaza on their very own. The Israeli authorities has mentioned each suffered from psychological well being points on the time.
Beneath the primary section of the ceasefire settlement, Hamas agreed to launch 33 hostages. In alternate, Israel agreed to launch about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Talks on progressing to the second section of the deal – below which the remaining residing hostages could be launched and the conflict would finish completely – had been as a consequence of begin earlier this month however haven’t but begun.
Israeli Overseas Minister Gideon Saar mentioned the talks would start “this week”.
He mentioned Israel would “not settle for the continued presence of Hamas or some other terrorist organisation in Gaza” however that Israel may extend the ceasefire if discussions had been productive.
“If we’ll see there’s a constructive dialogue with a attainable horizon of attending to an settlement (then) we’ll make this timeframe work longer,” Saar mentioned.
A complete of 73 hostages are at present being held in Gaza – a combination of Israeli troopers and civilians each lifeless and alive. This additionally consists of Thai and Nepalese nationals.
Some 251 hostages had been taken by Hamas when it attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 individuals.
Israel responded with a 15-month army offensive that killed 47,460 Palestinians, based on Gaza’s Hamas-run well being ministry, and devastated the coastal enclave.
