Hamas to Release Names of Four Israeli Hostages as Ceasefire Progresses

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Hamas is set to provide Israel with the names of four hostages to be released on Saturday, as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. These hostages, which include both soldiers and civilians, are expected to be female. In exchange for their release, Israel will free 180 Palestinian prisoners currently held in its jails.

This upcoming exchange follows the initial swap that took place after the ceasefire began last Sunday, where three hostages and 90 prisoners were released. The ceasefire was established following months of negotiations facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, and aims to bring a permanent end to the conflict, which escalated after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

To date, approximately 1,200 individuals have lost their lives during the conflict, with around 251 taken hostage. In Gaza, over 47,200 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been reported dead according to Hamas's health ministry. Alongside the hostages, Hamas is anticipated to share details about the condition of 26 remaining hostages, which includes the Bibas family.

The next stage of negotiations is set to unfold six weeks into the truce and will involve the release of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners for 33 hostages. This process is integral to fostering peace and stability in the region.

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