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Hamas Releases Six Israeli Hostages in Prisoner Exchange

The release of six hostages, including long-term captives, follows a fragile ceasefire agreement involving the exchange of over 600 Palestinian prisoners.

Des Israéliens se recueillent devant les portraits des otages décédés Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas et ses deux enfants, Kfir et Ariel Bibas, enlevés lors de l’attaque mortelle du 7 octobre 2023 par le Hamas.
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Des soldats israéliens saluent les cercueils des otages décédés Oded Lifschitz et les deux enfants Kfir et Ariel Bibas, le 20 février 2025.
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Overview

  • Six Israeli hostages, including individuals held for nearly a decade, were released by Hamas as part of a prisoner exchange agreement.
  • In return, Israel agreed to release 602 Palestinian prisoners, including 50 individuals serving life sentences, with 108 of them being deported from Palestinian territories.
  • The exchange comes amid ongoing tensions, as the family of Israeli captive Shiri Bibas confirmed her death after Hamas returned her body along with those of her two children, who were killed in captivity.
  • This marks the seventh exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19, with 28 Israeli hostages, including four deceased, returned so far in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.
  • Negotiations for the second phase of the agreement, which involves the release of additional hostages and prisoners, remain delayed as both sides accuse each other of violating the fragile truce.