Tue Feb 18 13:40:15 UTC 2025: ## Hamas to Release Six More Hostages, Four Bodies This Week
**Dubai/Cairo, February 18, 2025** – Hamas has announced the release of six living Israeli hostages this Saturday, February 22nd, and the bodies of four hostages this Thursday, February 20th, as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. The announcement, made by a top Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, follows the release of hostages earlier in the conflict.
Among those to be released on Saturday are Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengisto, who were held in Gaza before the recent war. The bodies to be released Thursday include members of the Bibas family, whose children were captured along with their parents. Yarden Bibas was previously released on February 1st.
This release represents the final stage of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, involving the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Negotiations for a second phase, involving the release of dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, are yet to begin. This second phase is expected to be far more complex.
First Piper 