In a significant development, Hamas has released six Israeli hostages in Gaza, with another six living hostages expected to be released soon, along with four bodies expected to be returned to Israel. Among those being released are two hostages who have been held in Gaza for about a decade.
In exchange for the release of these hostages, Israel has allowed mobile homes and construction equipment to be brought into the Gaza Strip for the displaced population. Additionally, Israel is set to release some 600 Palestinian prisoners from its jails, including those serving life sentences for the murder of Israelis.
One of the most heartbreaking stories to emerge from this hostage situation is that of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, two red-headed children whose bodies were finally returned from Gaza. Israeli authorities have claimed that the two boys, aged four and nine months, were not killed in an airstrike as initially believed, but were actually murdered by Hamas fighters with their bare hands.
After a forensic examination at the Abu Kabir medial centre in Tel Aviv, it was concluded that the two boys and their mother, Shiri, were “brutally murdered in cold blood” no later than November 2023. This revelation sheds light on one of the enduring mysteries of the conflict in Gaza.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israeli military, emphasized that the boys were not killed in an airstrike, but rather by Hamas fighters. He stated that the terrorists not only killed the young boys, but also committed horrific acts to cover up their crimes. This assessment was based on both forensic findings and intelligence supporting the conclusions.
The release of these hostages marks a significant step towards peace in the region, and hopefully, it will pave the way for further negotiations and resolutions to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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Video “LIVE: Hamas release six Israeli hostages in Gaza” was uploaded on 02/22/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times