Tue Feb 18 14:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Hamas to Return Remains of Four Israeli Hostages, Increase Number of Released Hostages
**JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH** – Hamas announced it will return the remains of four Israeli hostages, including members of the Bibas family, on Thursday. This follows a statement by Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator, who also revealed an increase in the number of living hostages to be released from three to six on Saturday.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed the return of the four bodies, although they did not explicitly confirm the Bibas family’s inclusion. The Israeli military had previously expressed grave concerns for the lives of Shiri Bibas and her two children, held captive in Gaza.
Al-Hayya’s announcement comes as part of an ongoing exchange of prisoners and remains between Hamas and Israel. The increased number of living hostages to be released on Saturday signifies a potential escalation in the negotiations. The specifics regarding the identities of the six hostages scheduled for release remain undisclosed.
First Piper 