On Saturday, two Israeli hostages were released by Palestinian militants Hamas as part of a fragile truce agreement. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing conflict, as these two captives were among the last still eligible for release in the truce’s first phase, which is also anticipated to see the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The hostage release came after a deeply emotional two days in Israel. Earlier on Saturday, the family of Shiri Bibas, another hostage, confirmed receiving her remains. Bibas, along with her two young sons, had become symbols of the immense suffering faced by Israeli hostages since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
In a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, Palestinian militants took dozens of Israelis hostage, triggering over 15 months of intense conflict. Saturday’s release saw hostages Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu, escorted by militants in Rafah, southern Gaza, onto a stage where Shoham spoke briefly before they were handed over to the Red Cross. A convoy then transported them back to Israeli territory.
Hamas Frees Two Israeli Hostages Amid Truce
The event was met with emotional reactions in Tel Aviv, where hundreds gathered at “Hostages Square,” applauding and shedding tears as they watched a live broadcast of the release. In addition to Shoham and Mengistu, four other hostages were expected to be freed later in a separate ceremony in Gaza.
The release is part of a ceasefire deal initiated on January 19 and set to expire in early March. Under this agreement, a Hamas source confirmed plans to free four more hostages from Gaza’s Nuseirat area.
Both ceremonies were meticulously organized, with militants staging elaborate displays that included nationalistic music, armed fighters, and flags, creating a charged atmosphere. The Red Cross, which has long advocated for dignified handovers, oversaw the proceedings.
Alongside the hostages, Israel agreed to release 602 Palestinian inmates as part of the exchange. Many of the prisoners were from Gaza and had been detained after the war began. Some would be deported to places outside Israel and Palestinian territories.
This latest release brings the total number of living Israeli hostages freed to 21, with over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners released in return. Thursday’s handover had seen the first transfer of human remains, including those of Shiri Bibas, although an initial error led to confusion about the identity of the bodies. Following this, Hamas acknowledged the possibility of a mix-up, attributing it to the destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes.
Bibas’ family confirmed her death, expressing deep sorrow at her tragic end. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing increasing pressure at home over his handling of the war and hostage situation, vowed to hold Hamas accountable for violating the terms of the agreement. An Israeli military spokesman also revealed that the Bibas children, Ariel and Kfir, were killed by Palestinian militants in November 2023, a claim Hamas denied, asserting that Israeli airstrikes were responsible.
While the Bibas family grieves, they made it clear they are not seeking revenge but placed blame on Netanyahu for failing to protect the family during the crisis. The international community continues to monitor the fragile situation as the truce holds, but significant emotional scars remain for all involved.
Hamas and its allies originally took 251 hostages during their October 7 attack, and while 65 hostages remain in Gaza, the conflict has claimed over 49,000 lives, the vast majority of which have been civilian casualties in Gaza.
