Hamas to free 6 Israeli captives on Saturday

Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, take security measures as Israeli hostages Alexander (Sasha) Turbanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn being handed over to the Red Cross teams near the house of Yahya Sinwar, one of the killed leaders of Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip, within the 6th round of hostage swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Khan Yunis, Gaza on February 15, 2025. [Ashraf Amra – Anadolu Agency]

Hamas announced today that it will release six Israeli captives and the bodies of four deceased captives this week under a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap deal with Israel.

“It has been agreed to release the remaining six living Israeli captives on Saturday under the first phase” of the Gaza deal, Hamas leader in Gaza Khalil Al-Hayya said in a recorded speech.

He named Hisham Al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu among the six set for release on Saturday.

The Hamas leader said his group will also hand over the bodies of four Israeli captives on Thursday, including members of the Bibas family.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that a deal with Hamas was reached in Cairo today to bring forward the release of Israeli captives.

Hamas will free six living hostages, said Netanyahu’s office, instead of only three who were slated for release. Four bodies of deceased hostages will be handed over on Thursday, followed by four more next week.

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