What we know about next Hamas hostage release with 6 to be freed over 2 days – as hopes for Bibas boys, 2 & 5, dwindle
What we know about next Hamas hostage release with 6 to be freed over 2 days – as hopes for Bibas boys, 2 & 5, dwindle
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THE next set of Israeli hostages to be released from Hamas captivity as part of the fragile ceasefire agreement has been revealed. Six hostages will be handed back to Israel in two batches this week - but fears loom for the Bibas boys, aged 2 and 5, as it remains unknown whether the young pair are dead or alive.
![[Woman smiling.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/undated-photo-provided-hostages-families-966579849.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Two of those who are set to be released within a mere few days are women who were horrifically kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attacks. Arbel Yehud, 29, and IDF soldier Agam Berger, 21, will be freed alongside a currently unnamed male hostage on Thursday, followed by three more unnamed hostages on Saturday.
![[Close-up of a girl's face.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ae5f7bf0-4402-42af-bd64-44f0c1d0095d.jpg?strip=all&w=833)
Israel had reportedly asked Qatari and Egyptian mediators to get proof off of Hamas showing Arbel alive. Confirmation was handed over as early as Saturday evening, reports the BBC. On Sunday night it was confirmed that a dispute over the implementation of the ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas had been resolved.
![[A woman in olive green clothing exits a vehicle with the International Committee of the Red Cross logo, surrounded by armed personnel.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_2d6a73.jpeg?strip=all&w=959)
Israel said that Hamas terrorists had sent a list detailing the conditions of the remaining hostages set to be released in the continuing 42-day first phase of the breakthrough ceasefire. The failure to send the list by Saturday, partnered with Hamas's failure to free Arbel before IDF soldiers, have been dubbed by Israel as violations of the deal.
![[Illustration of a three-phase peace deal for the Middle East, showing ceasefire, hostage release, and border details.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AP-16-01-israel-hamas-ceasefire-graphic.jpg?strip=all&w=553)
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the military would now allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to the north Gaza Strip, beginning Monday morning. The office added that Israel had reached the agreement with the terror group following "strong and determined negotiations," making it clear that it would "not tolerate any violation of the agreement".
![[Video still of Keith Siegel, a hostage, speaking to the camera.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2023-speaking-camera-armed-wing-897174087.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
