TEL AVIV, Israel — On Friday, the group governing Gaza, Hamas, announced the identities of four hostages they plan to free the following day as part of a ceasefire agreement.
Although Israel has not confirmed the names provided by Hamas, it is stated that the release of these hostages will occur in exchange for the release of several Palestinians who are currently imprisoned or detained in Israeli facilities.
Earlier on Friday, families of hostages still held in Gaza urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take measures to secure the freedom of all remaining captives. They also implored U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain pressure for their release.
As the tenuous ceasefire, which has lasted for six weeks now, began its sixth day, many in Israel were anxious for more details on the hostages, as more than 90 individuals continue to be held by Hamas.
In the central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, civilians displaced from the war-torn north were in a state of distress, awaiting news on whether they could return to what remains of their homes.
Israel has estimated that approximately one-third to as many as half of the over 90 hostages may have perished. However, Hamas has not provided clear updates on the total number of living captives or those who have unfortunately died.
Ayelet Samerano, whose son Yonatan is among the hostages, addressed President Trump, thanking him for recent moments of hope while emphasizing their urgent need for the safe return of all 94 hostages. “Please don’t stop; we need them home immediately,” she urged.
The initial phase of the ceasefire agreement will see the release of 33 hostages over time, with these hostages being exchanged for hundreds of Palestinians incarcerated by Israel.
This past Sunday marked the release of the first three hostages who were exchanged for 90 Palestinian prisoners, coinciding with the start of the ceasefire that halted a 15-month conflict that has severely affected Gaza. Widespread destruction has been reported, along with over 47,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to health officials in Gaza, who indicate that a significant number of these casualties are women and children.
As part of the agreement, Hamas is expected to reveal the names of the next four hostages to be released on Saturday, after which Israel will also provide a list of Palestinian prisoners set to be freed.
The hostages in question are a portion of approximately 250 individuals — men, women, and children — taken by militants on October 7, 2023, an attack that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals and triggered the ongoing conflict in the area. A brief ceasefire in November led to the release of about 100 hostages, but the bodies of roughly three dozen have also been uncovered in Gaza, with eight hostages rescued through military intervention.
In a plea directed at the government and negotiation teams, Samerano praised their efforts but insisted on the necessity of bringing every hostage back home. She requested that the second phase of the deal be finalized even as the first phase is still underway, stating that uncertainty is unbearable. “Time is of the essence, and none of them can afford to wait any longer,” she stated.
The first phase of hostages being released will comprise women, children, individuals who are ill, and those over the age of 50 — predominantly civilians. Hamas has also indicated that living female soldiers will be prioritized in this phase. While the immediate focus is on living captives, some bodies might also be returned if there are insufficient living hostages available for all required releases.
Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among those still captured, expressed a mix of hope and anxiety regarding the fate of the remaining hostages. “It’s heartwarming to see news of some families being reunited, but each day that Nimrod spends held is a day of danger for his life,” she lamented.
Under the terms of the agreement, Palestinian civilians will be granted greater freedom to move between regions in the Gaza Strip. Starting Saturday, individuals in southern Gaza will be allowed to use a coastal road to reach northern Gaza, coinciding with the expected withdrawal of Israeli troops from that vital route as well as the anticipated release of the next four Israeli hostages.
This ceasefire has provided some in the strip an opportunity to reunite with loved ones, navigate through extensive destruction, and attempt to recover personal belongings from their homes. Those displaced from the north, however, face a tense wait before they can return.
Nadia Al-Debs, one individual among many gathering in makeshift shelters in central Gaza, shared her anticipation of returning home to Gaza City. “The first thing I plan to do is kiss the earth of my birthplace,” she declared. “We are eager to reunite my children with their father.”
Another displaced resident, Nafouz al-Rabai, described her imminent return as a deeply joyful occasion, although she was aware of the heartache involved in confronting the devastation that may have befallen her home. “I dread seeing what remains of my beloved house and community. It’s a dreadful reality,” she confessed.
