Hamas Announces Return of Bodies of Four Hostages Amid Ongoing Negotiations

Hamas's recent announcement about the return of deceased hostages highlights the complexities surrounding ongoing negotiations with Israel and raises concerns for families affected by the ongoing conflict.

Hamas has declared that it will return the bodies of four hostages, including two children, on Thursday, escalating the stakes in ongoing negotiations with Israel. Khalil al-Hayya, the group's negotiator, stated that the bodies to be released include those of the Bibas family—Shiri and her young children, Kfir and Ariel—who were abducted during the October 7, 2023, assault. Their father, Yarden Bibas, was released by Hamas earlier this month.

In addition to the return of the bodies, Hamas has committed to releasing six living hostages on Saturday, twice the number previously planned. In return, Israel has agreed to release all women and minors arrested since last October’s escalation and will also permit some rubble-clearing equipment entry into Gaza through the Egyptian border. Al-Hayya clarified that the handover of the deceased would take place on February 20, and although Hamas claimed these hostages died in an Israeli airstrike, no evidence has been publicly provided, and Israeli officials remain concerned for the hostages' wellbeing.

Israeli officials revealed that the deceased hostages would undergo identification procedures once returned, while Hamas has identified two of the living hostages scheduled for release—Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed—who had crossed into Gaza voluntarily years prior and were reportedly suffering from mental health issues at the time of their capture.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement stipulated the release of 33 hostages by Hamas, while Israel would free approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Progress has been stalled on the second phase, which aims for the release of the remaining living hostages and the conclusion of hostilities. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has indicated that negotiations will commence this week, noting Israel’s resolve against the presence of Hamas or other terrorist organizations in Gaza, but remaining open to extending the ceasefire if dialogues prove productive.

Currently, there are 73 hostages in Gaza, which includes a mix of Israeli soldiers, civilians, along with nationals from Thailand and Nepal. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas captured approximately 251 individuals during attacks that resulted in around 1,200 Israeli fatalities. Israel's military response has been significant, with reports indicating over 47,460 Palestinian casualties according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region.