Hamas to release four bodies and six captives who are still alive

Hamas will release the bodies of four captives on Thursday, while the remaining six captives still alive will be released on Saturday, senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said in a televised speech.

The six to be released on Saturday include including Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengisto, who have been held in Gaza since before the war started 16 months ago.

The bodies will include members from the Bibas family.

During the 7 October attack, Palestinian fighters took Yarden and Shiri Bibas and their two children: Ariel, who was four when kidnapped and Kfir who was nine-months-old. Yarden was released on 1 February.

Hamas said in November 2023 that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir were killed during Israeli bombardment of Gaza, but Israeli authorities had not confirmed the report.