Hamas to release six hostages on February 22; four bodies of hostages to be handed over on February 20

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a hostage’s release in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. File
| Photo Credit: AP

A top Hamas leader said the militant group will release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday (February 22, 2025).

Hamas also said that it will release the bodies of four hostages on Thursday (February 20, 2025).

The six hostages to be released on Saturday (February 22, 2025) will include Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengisto, who were held in Gaza before the start of war there, the Hamas leader in Gaza said on Tuesday (February 18, 2025).

Meanwhile, the bodies will include members from the Bibas family, Khalil al-Hayya said in a televised speech.

Hamas militants captured Yarden and Shiri Bibas and their two children: Ariel, who was four when kidnapped and baby Kfir who was 9-months-old. Yarden was released on February 1.

The six are the last living hostages set to be freed under the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Three hostages had been expected to be freed on Saturday (February 22, ,2025).

The warring sides have yet to negotiate the second and more difficult phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.

The releases have come in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.