Hamas releases six Israeli hostages as second phase of ceasefire negotiations faces hurdles — The details

Report by Rita Khoury, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

Hamas released six Israeli hostages at different locations across Gaza in three phases. In Rafah, southern Gaza, two hostages, Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, were freed. 

In the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, three Israelis were handed over. Meanwhile, the sixth hostage, Hisham al-Sayed, an Arab-Israeli Bedouin, was released east of Gaza City.

On Thursday night, Hamas also handed over a body to the Red Cross, later confirmed to be that of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas. Israel had initially disputed the identity, saying the remains were those of another woman.

In return, Israel is set to release 602 Palestinian prisoners from its jails. Among them, 445 are Gaza residents detained during the course of the war, and 50 have been serving life sentences. 

One of the most notable prisoners to be released is Nael Barghouti, who spent 45 years in Israeli prisons. Some of the released detainees are set to be deported outside Palestinian territories.

With this exchange, the first phase of the ceasefire agreement concluded. Israel has since introduced demands for the second phase, including the release of 22 living captives, a condition Hamas has accepted. 

However, Israel has refused any agreement leading to a truce, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu setting two conditions: Gaza must be demilitarized, and Hamas must be removed from power. 

These demands present obstacles to further negotiations despite Washington's insistence on progressing with the next phase. Tel Aviv and Hamas have been given two weeks to reach a new agreement.