2 months ago
20
The militant group’s chief negotiator also said Hamas would increase the number of living hostages it would release on Saturday to six from three.
By Adam Rasgon and Fatima AbdulKarim
Adam Rasgon reported from Jerusalem and Fatima AbdulKarim reported from Ramallah
Feb. 18, 2025Updated 9:14 a.m. ET
Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s chief negotiator, said in a speech on Tuesday that militants intend to hand over the remains of four Israeli hostages to Israel on Thursday in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Mr. Hayya said that members of the Bibas family would be among the four bodies handed over to Israel on Thursday. The three remaining members of the Bibas family in Gaza include Shiri Bibas and her two children.
The Israeli prime minister’s office confirmed that the bodies of four Israelis would be returned on Thursday, but officials didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment about whether the Bibas family would be among them. The Israeli military had said until recently that there were grave concerns for the lives of Ms. Bibas and her children, though it had not confirmed their deaths.
Israeli officials had said earlier on Tuesday that they expected the remains of Israeli hostages to be returned on Thursday, though they did not specify that members of the Bibas family would be among them.
The number of living hostages scheduled to be released on Saturday will be increased to six from three, Mr. al-Hayya and the Israeli prime minister’s office said
Adam Rasgon is a reporter for The Times in Jerusalem, covering Israeli and Palestinian affairs. More about Adam Rasgon
