Identifying the hostages released by Hamas during the Gaza ceasefire.

JERUSALEM — On Thursday, the remains of four Israelis, believed to be among the last female and child hostages taken by Hamas, were returned, raising the total number of released captives to 28 since a ceasefire began between Israel and Hamas on January 19.
The bodies are thought to include Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, whose abduction captured national attention after their kidnapping during Hamas’ brutal assault on October 7, 2023. Additionally, the remains of one of the older hostages, who had been held, were reported to be part of this release. Formal identification of the remains is currently underway.
The initial phase of the ceasefire negotiation outlines the release of 33 hostages held in Gaza, of whom eight are deceased, in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. Five Thai nationals, who were in Israel at the outbreak of the conflict, were freed last month through a different agreement.
During the October 7 attack, Hamas militants captured 251 hostages. Presently, there are more than 60 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, with about half reported to be dead. Others were either released, rescued, or recovered as deceased.
As for the hostages that have been released thus far, significant attention falls on the Bibas family.
The bodies identified as Shiri Bibas and her sons, Ariel and Kfir, were among those returned on Thursday. They had been kidnapped alongside Shiri’s husband, Yarden, from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. According to Hamas, the three died due to an Israeli airstrike, a claim not yet confirmed by Israeli officials. Previously, Yarden Bibas was freed under the ceasefire agreement earlier this month.
A harrowing video from the time of their kidnapping depicted a terrified Shiri wrapping her two sons—a four-year-old and a nine-month-old—before being taken away by militants. The images resonated deeply across Israel, stirring feelings of helplessness and advocacy for the release of hostages.
In addition to the Bibas family, Oded Lifshitz, age 84, is among those confirmed deceased. Lifshitz was one of the older hostages, taken from his residence in Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his wife, Yocheved, who was released during a previous ceasefire. His family had speculated for months about his potential death.
Lifshitz was known for his advocacy of Palestinian rights and played a significant role in various humanitarian efforts, including bringing patients to medical appointments in Israel.
Another individual who was held captive is 36-year-old Sagui Dekel Chen, who was working on his bus conversion project when militants seized him. He had instructed his pregnant wife to seek refuge, and she gave birth to their third daughter after the attack.
46-year-old Iair Horn, also a hostage, was taken alongside his brother Eitan, who remains unaccounted for. Horn was known for his role managing a kibbutz pub and as a local sports fan.
Among others released are Sasha Troufanov, 29, an engineer for Amazon, and Eli Sharabi, 52, whose family suffered significant loss during the attack, including the deaths of his wife and daughters.
The emotional toll of the conflict doesn’t end there. Ohad Ben Ami, 56, who was captured with his wife, Raz, was another name on the list of returned hostages. Or Levy and his fellow captives endured harrowing experiences while separated from their loved ones.
The sorrowful narrative continues with Yarden Bibas, who now holds the grim realization about the fate of his family. While his abducted family members were initially thought to be alive, Hamas previously claimed they were killed, an assertion that fuels the heartache of their loved ones.
Keith Siegel, 65, from North Carolina, was abducted alongside his wife, who has actively campaigned for his release internationally.
Hostages from the Thai community have also gained attention, with several being held by militants. Negotiations have led to the release of 23 Thai nationals through intricate diplomatic efforts.
The heartbreaking saga extends to younger victims like 20-year-old Daniella Gilboa and 24-year-old Romi Gonen, and the stories of survival continue to emerge from this conflict that has profoundly impacted everyone involved.
Many victims have left behind personal legacies and families still seeking answers during this tumultuous period. The emotional landscape of the hostages’ struggle resonates with all those affected by the ongoing conflict.