Hamas says it will return bodies of four hostages including two children | BBC News

Summary

The ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas are nearing a pivotal point, with Israel set to receive the bodies of four hostages and the release of six more living hostages in the coming days. Despite the painful handover, which includes the Bibas family, iconic victims of the October 7th attack, there is cautious optimism that the ceasefire agreement is progressing. Israel's offer to release women and minors in exchange and begin discussions for a second phase, including possible withdrawal from Gaza, marks a crucial step in the fragile peace talks, though the situation remains tense and uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hamas will hand over the bodies of four hostages to Israel on Thursday, with six living hostages being freed on Saturday.
• 😀 A total of 14 hostages remain in Gaza, and the next phase of the ceasefire deal will involve the handover of bodies and further releases of living hostages.
• 😀 The Bibas family, which includes two young children, are among the four dead hostages to be handed over, marking the first dead hostages since the ceasefire began.
• 😀 The Bibas family members were taken hostage on October 7th, and their young children, Ariel (4 years old) and Cfir (9 months old), have become symbolic of the brutality of the Hamas attack on that day.
• 😀 The release of hostages has become a highly symbolic and emotional issue in Israel, with murals and public remembrance for the Bibas children.
• 😀 Hamas claims that the Bibas family died in an Israeli bombardment, but Israel has not confirmed this statement.
• 😀 The first phase of the ceasefire deal is nearly complete, and Israel is preparing for phase two, which involves discussions about withdrawing from Gaza.
• 😀 The second phase of the ceasefire talks could be crucial in resolving issues around Israel's military presence in Gaza, which is a contentious topic within Netanyahu's right-wing cabinet.
• 😀 Israel is set to free all women and minors arrested since October 8th, 2023, in exchange for the hostages released by Hamas.
• 😀 Some heavy equipment is being allowed into Gaza from Egypt to assist with rubble removal, as part of the negotiations and agreement for hostages' release.
• 😀 Despite challenges, the ceasefire talks appear to be back on track, with Israel sending a negotiating team to Cairo to push forward the next phase.

Q & A

How many hostages are still being held by Hamas?

There are still 14 hostages being held by Hamas, with four dead bodies to be handed over on Thursday and six living hostages to be freed on Saturday.

What is the significance of the Bibas family in this context?

The Bibas family is significant as they are among the four dead hostages to be handed over. Shiri Bibas was kidnapped on October 7, along with her husband Yarden, and their two young sons, Ariel and Cfir, who became symbolic of the brutality of the Hamas attack.

How old were the Bibas children when they were taken hostage?

Ariel was four years old, and Cfir was only 9 months old when they were kidnapped on October 7.

What claim has Hamas made regarding the deaths of the Bibas family?

Hamas claims that the Bibas family was killed in an Israeli bombardment in Gaza, though Israel has not confirmed this.

What symbolic role have the Bibas boys played in Israel since their kidnapping?

The Bibas boys, especially Ariel and Cfir, have become iconic symbols in Israel, representing the brutality of the October 7 attack. Their images are featured in murals and they are widely recognized throughout the country.

What does Israel intend to do in response to the hostage releases?

Israel plans to free all women and prisoners under the age of 19 who were arrested after the October 8, 2023, Hamas attacks. Additionally, Israel is sending a team to Cairo to begin the second phase of ceasefire negotiations.

What is the second phase of the ceasefire deal about?

The second phase of the ceasefire deal involves talks on Israel's potential withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which is a contentious issue, particularly for the right-wing members of Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet.

How does Israel's involvement in the ceasefire negotiations reflect the current status of the ceasefire?

Israel's involvement, by sending a negotiation team to Cairo, signals that the ceasefire talks are back on track, although the continuation to phase two is still uncertain and fragile.

What is the 'quid pro quo' arrangement in the context of the ceasefire?

The 'quid pro quo' involves Hamas releasing hostages, while Israel agrees to free certain prisoners (all women and minors arrested after the October 8 attack) and allow some heavy equipment into Gaza for rubble removal.

What challenge does the right wing of Netanyahu's cabinet present in the ceasefire process?

The right wing of Netanyahu's cabinet is strongly opposed to Israel's potential withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which is a key issue in the second phase of the ceasefire negotiations.