Hamas‘s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, on Friday announced the names of four Israeli women hostages it plans to release as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed receiving the list through mediators.
The ceasefire deal, now in its sixth day, includes the gradual release of 33 Israeli hostages, primarily women, children, and older civilians, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. So far, three hostages have been freed, with the next phase set to release four women hostages on Saturday.
Hamas has committed to releasing all living female soldiers during Phase 1. Male soldiers are not expected to be part of this phase, and bodies may be returned if living hostages in this category are insufficient.
The families of the 94 hostages still held in Gaza have urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expedite their release, while also appealing to former US President Donald Trump to continue advocating for their return.
“Our hearts break thinking of those left behind,” Vicky Cohen was quoted by the news agency AP, whose son remains in captivity. “Stopping the deal means a death sentence for those still held”, Cohen added.
For civilians in Gaza, the ceasefire has brought limited respite. Movement between northern and southern Gaza is set to resume Saturday, though many displaced families face uncertainty about the state of their homes in the war-torn region.
“We’ll return so my children can see their father,” said one displaced mother to AP, expressing mixed emotions about returning to a devastated Gaza City.