“Israel Awaits Names of Next Four Hostages to Be Freed by Hamas in Gaza Ceasefire Deal”
Israel is awaiting the release of the names of four additional hostages set to be freed by Hamas on Saturday, as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement in the ongoing Gaza conflict. This release follows the liberation of three hostages—Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Emily Damari, 28—last weekend, alongside 90 Palestinian prisoners. Under the terms of the agreement, a total of 33 hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Hamas official Zaher Jabarin confirmed on Thursday that the names of the next four hostages would be shared with mediators by Friday. The deal specifies that those released will include women, children, sick individuals, and people over 50—primarily civilians. Additionally, Hamas has committed to freeing all living female soldiers.
Families of the remaining hostages have made emotional appeals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to secure the return of all captives. Ayelet Samerano, whose son Yonatan is still in captivity, called on officials to ensure the second phase of the deal is confirmed before the current phase concludes. She emphasized the urgency, stating, “We cannot continue living in uncertainty. All hostages must return.”
Vicky Cohen, mother of Nimrod Cohen, expressed her heartbreak over the ongoing captivity of male hostages, some of whom fought to protect civilians. She stressed that halting the deal would be tantamount to a death sentence for those left behind. Ella Ben Ami, whose parents are among the captives, spoke from “Hostages Square,” a symbolic site for families awaiting their loved ones. She underscored the importance of bringing every individual home, whether for rehabilitation or proper burial.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas will prioritize releasing living hostages but may include the bodies of deceased individuals if they cannot meet the required numbers. For each civilian hostage freed, Israel has agreed to release 30 Palestinian women, children, or older adults. For female soldiers, the exchange increases to 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 serving life sentences.
The ceasefire also grants Palestinians in Gaza greater freedom of movement, allowing civilians in the south to travel to the north via a coastal road starting Saturday. This is expected to coincide with Israeli troop withdrawals from key routes.
In Gaza, the pause in hostilities has enabled some families to reunite and assess the devastation left behind. Many displaced residents, including those from northern Gaza, are preparing to return to what remains of their homes. In Deir al-Balah, families gathered in makeshift tents, preparing to journey back to areas now accessible. For many, the return is bittersweet, with mixed emotions about the state of their homes and neighborhoods. Nadia Al-Debs, one such displaced individual, spoke of her longing to reconnect with the land where she was born, saying, “The first thing I’ll do is kiss the dirt of the land.”
Others, like Nafouz al-Rabai, expressed joy at the prospect of returning home but acknowledged the pain of facing the destruction. “God knows if I’ll find my house standing or not,” she said. Despite the challenges, the ceasefire has brought a glimmer of hope to those desperate to rebuild their lives and reconnect with loved ones.
This pivotal agreement marks a moment of cautious optimism in a deeply fractured region, as efforts continue to ensure the safe return of all hostages and a path toward greater stability.
