JERUSALEM — A ceasefire lasting six weeks is currently in effect between Israel and Hamas, during which Hamas has been releasing a number of hostages taken during the attack on October 7, 2023. In exchange, the group has received hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.

Since the ceasefire commenced last month, there have been four significant exchanges, resulting in the release of 18 hostages and almost 500 prisoners. A fifth exchange is scheduled for Saturday, where three additional hostages will be freed alongside numerous other prisoners.

In total, Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages in return for around 2,000 Palestinian detainees during this initial phase of the ceasefire. Negotiations have already begun for a second phase, which is expected to focus on bringing back the remaining hostages, facilitating more prisoner releases, and working towards a complete resolution of the conflict.

To understand the hostage situation stemming from the October 7 attack, here are the latest figures:
Total number of hostages captured: 251

Hostages that have been freed through exchanges or other agreements: 127

Bodies of deceased hostages retrieved by Israeli forces: 40

Hostages rescued alive: 8

Hostages who remain in captivity, whether alive or deceased: 76

Hostages confirmed deceased by Israeli authorities: 34

Number of women and children in captivity: 3 (including a mother and her two young sons)

Israeli soldiers still held captive: 13

Israeli soldiers thought to be alive: 6

Non-Israelis currently in captivity: 5 (comprising 3 Thais, 1 Nepalese, and 1 Tanzanian)

Non-Israelis believed to be alive: 2 (1 from Thailand and 1 from Nepal)

Additionally, there are 3 Israelis still in Gaza from before the October 7 attack (including the body of one soldier killed in the 2014 conflict, along with two civilians who entered Gaza independently in 2014 and 2015, who are thought to be alive).