Hamas To Release Hostages, Including The Bodies Of Four Israelis

 Hamas announced on Tuesday that it will release the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the two youngest captives held by the group. In addition, six living hostages are expected to be freed on Saturday—double the number originally anticipated—according to Khalil Al-Hayya, the head of Hamas’ negotiating team.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that an agreement was reached in negotiations held in Cairo. It stated that four deceased hostages will be handed over on Thursday, while six living hostages will be released on Saturday. The statement also noted that four more bodies are expected to be returned next week.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Hostage Families Forum confirmed that all affected families had been notified. In line with previous exchanges, Israel is expected to release Palestinian prisoners in return.

Confirmation of the Bibas Children’s Fate

The announcement provides the clearest indication yet that Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were just nine months and four years old when they were kidnapped in October 2023, are no longer alive. However, Israeli authorities have yet to officially confirm their deaths or respond to Hamas' statement.

An Egyptian source familiar with the negotiations stated that discussions involving officials from Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the United States had successfully secured the release of the remaining hostages under the first phase of the ongoing truce.

Hamas previously claimed in November 2023 that an Israeli airstrike killed Kfir, Ariel, and their mother. The group also released a video featuring their father, Yarden Bibas, who blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their deaths. At the time, an Israeli military spokesperson dismissed the video as psychological warfare but acknowledged the possibility that the children might not have survived. Yarden Bibas was later freed alive on February 1.

The Bibas family has become one of the most recognized symbols of the October 7 attacks. Posters featuring Kfir’s image—a red-haired baby holding a pink elephant toy and smiling at the camera—have appeared across Israel and around the world in calls for the hostages' release.

New Phase of Negotiations Begins

Hamas’ announcement coincided with Israel's decision to begin talks on the second phase of the Gaza hostage-ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that negotiations could begin as early as this week following discussions with American officials. He reiterated that the goal is to reach an agreement by the 42nd day of the truce, as outlined in the initial deal, and acknowledged that a longer-term agreement remains a possibility.