Overview

• Hamas released six hostages, including three men abducted at the Nova music festival and two individuals held in Gaza for nearly a decade, as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.
• In exchange, Israel freed 600 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals serving life sentences and minors detained during the ongoing conflict.
• The ceasefire, which began in January, is nearing its scheduled end, with negotiations over a potential second phase expected to face significant challenges.
• The body of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother abducted with her two children, was returned after an earlier mix-up involving the remains of an unidentified Palestinian woman.
• Hamas continues to hold approximately 60 Israeli hostages, with debates over their release tied to demands for a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.