Hamas Frees Final Six Hostages in Exchange for 600 Palestinian Prisoners

The releases mark the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, as questions loom over the next stage of negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

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.